December 24, 2024

Lady in Waiting: Chance Rendezvous

It all comes down to trust.  It seems to always come down to trust, doesn’t it?  No matter what the situation, no matter what we are waiting for, no matter how hurt we are, no matter what decisions we make, it all comes down to that word, “trust”.  So tell me, do you like to take things into your own hands, or do you trust God?

As I was reading today’s passage I had to smile.  If we are honest, we have to admit we have all done something to try to cause that “chance” rendezvous.  I can’t say I have joined a ministry to be closer to a man I was interested in, or that I have switched churches to find a more singles-rich environment, but yes, I have lingered at times, hoping for a chance to say hello or have a conversation.  I have also gone to an event because there was more of a chance that there would be single males there, even if I weren’t 100% interested in the event itself.

I struggle with “putting myself out there”.  To say there is a shortage of single men in my church would be an understatement.  As I sit here and think about it, there are probably less than 10 men that would be appropriate for me to even consider as a possibility (and that may be being generous) and if I am not involved in church activities, I am involved in my son’s activities, which means even if I am around men, they are married dads.  So yes, sometimes I wonder how I will ever meet someone if I am never around single Christian men.  That is when I can fall into the trap of taking things into our own hands.

The hard part, for me, is knowing what is walking in faith, and what is taking things into my own hands.  Is going to an event I am not totally sold on walking in faith, because I need to give God opportunities and sitting in my house or at my singles starved church won’t do that?  Or is it taking things into my own hands because it’s not something I would have normally chosen to attend and I am trying to force God’s hand?

Another time this question comes up for me is when the topic of online dating comes up.  Some (married) friends have asked me whether I have considered doing e-Harmony or another Christian dating site.  Cost aside, I have the same questions.  Is that really having faith in God if I go onto these sites, or am I trying to speed up a process that God may already have in place that has nothing to do with the computer?  Is it opening myself up to temptations when I should be focusing somewhere else?  Or will God use this method to give me the man He has been preparing for me?   How do we know?  We need to check our hearts.

The last part of the passage really made me think.  How is your heart preparation?  When we get ready for church, or a singles event, or a small group, whatever it is, and you know “he” or “they” will be there, do you spend as much time preparing your heart, like Ruth, as you do preparing your physical appearance, like Orpah?  I can humbly and honestly say I never even thought of doing something like that.  I make sure I shower, do my hair, makeup, try to find a cute outfit, the whole deal.  I have never taken even 10 minutes to spend praying and talking to God.  Think about the difference that might make.  Not only will we look cute, but our heart is softened and opened to the will of God.

When we talk to someone at church, maybe we won’t be thinking about saying the right thing, we will know that God will give us the right words.  How does that sound?  Instead of wondering if we should be spending time with this man, we will be open to the nudging of the spirit and He will let us know if we are where we belong.  Don’t we want a man that is interested in more than what we have on the outside? I am reminded of the quote, “A woman’s heart should be so hidden in Christ that a man should have to seek Him first to find her.” Well then ladies, I urge you, spend just as much time preparing your inside as you do preparing your outside.  Then you will be amazingly beautiful to the man God has for you.

Let’s Pray
Lord I ask You to work on our hearts today.  We may not always have the purest of motives, even when we think we do.  But You know.  You know what is in our hearts.  According to Your word “All a man’s ways seem innocent to him, but motives are weighed by the Lord” (Proverbs 16:2).  Help us to discern our true motives when we make the choices we do.  We want to have a heart like You, and we need You to help us with that.  Help us to trust You, to truly believe that Your plans are the best plans for us.  Through the tough situations, the waiting, the hurts, the hard choices, help us to know You are there for us and, as always, have only the best intentions for us.  We love You Lord and want Your will for us.  Amen.

Your Assignment:
Please leave a comment below about chance rendezvous that you have tried to create.

 

Thoughts to ponder:

Have you ever made a major decision based on finding a mate?  If so, what was the outcome?  How about the little things we do?  Share some experiences you have had.

When getting ready to go somewhere do you spend as much time on heart preparation as you do on physical preparation?  If so, have you seen a difference?  Is this a new concept for you?  If it is, do you intend on making any changes?

God bless,

Michelle

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If you are interested in joining us in this Online Bible Study, click on the “Sign-Up Here” button at the top of the page, and follow the instructions.  Once we receive your request, you will be added to a group.

 

Lady in Waiting: Lady of Faith – Where the Boys Are

I must admit that when I started thinking about writing about this chapter for this blog, I was at loss!  How do I mix Faith and Boys in the same blog?  These are two different topics altogether and I was praying that I would be able to do justice to each without leaning more on one topic and neglecting the other.

But as I re-read the chapter over and over, I realize that one cannot talk about boys without talking about faith and neither can one find a lifelong partner without faith.

Somehow I equated faith with other spiritual things and not boys or men as the case may be.  I must repent I used to be logical about this subject.  Please don’t write me off yet but give ear to what I am going to say.

“Now Faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.” Hebrews 11:1

Hebrews chapter 11 is the Faith chapter and the “Hall of Fame” for the great men and women of Faith.  When reading this chapter you are introduced to the greatest exploits that people like Noah, Abraham, Joseph, Moses and everyone else did.  They overcame the most difficult situations; they were tested and passed through storms that we can only read about.

 

I thought faith came into play when I am faced with health issues, loss, job hunting and other major issues that I could not handle on my own.  But what about when I meet a guy I like.  Isn’t it so obvious that if I am single and he is single we can get together and see how it works out?  Right? WRONG.

As a Lady of Faith, I must take to God each and every decision that affects me.  I need to involve God in everything including issues of dating, marriage, etc.  Just because this nice young man is found in church and is involved in ministry doesn’t mean he is the right one for me.  I need to speak to my Heavenly Father about him before I can get involved.

You must be saying, “But Jackie, I have been here for so long, I have moved from my small town where “there are more livestock than people”; I have even changed churches so much that I have lost count the number of times I have filled out the membership forms; this is my opportunity, this is “where the boys are” so to speak.  This is my time; at last someone who is interested in me, who gives me the attention I deserve.  I can laugh at his jokes, he says the right words to me and never for once has he commented about my weight.  He is someone that I can introduce to my friends and family without feeling embarrassed because he is well spoken and articulate”.

Well girlfriends, I met such a guy once and I can relate to someone who once wrote “dear diary, I think I found the man I am going to marry” because I practically said that myself.

I returned to church after a five year hiatus and this church is where the Christian boys in town went to.  These boys were involved in ministry; be it choir, ushering, Sunday school, youth, evangelism; you name it they were there on the fore front.  Like every young woman on fire for Christ, I got involved in ministry and no sooner had I done that than I met him.  He was everything I thought a Christian guy should be.  He was involved in various ministries and then some.  He was a young man the Pastor relied upon.  Well, we dated for close to a year and the relationship grew serious to the point of getting parents involved and engagement talks were underway.  But something happened that caused the relationship to disintegrate.  Mr.  Right bowed out when I needed him the most.  Mr. Right did not sign up for what I was going through and he had prayed about the way forward and it was to end the relationship.

Through this heart breaking situation the Lord opened my “eyes of faith” and I was able to see that I had been in this relationship for the wrong reasons.  The Lord showed me that I wanted to be part of the church so much that I thought the best way to be accepted was by marrying this guy.  The Lord knew my heart better than I knew myself.  He did this to get my attention and to show me that I was accepted by Him and that He loved me the way I was.  I needed to serve Him with the right motive.  I needed to know who I was in Him before I could get married.  I needed to fall in love with Him before I could fall in love with someone else.

For three years, I embarked on a journey of getting to know the Lord and falling in love with Him as well as doing the things He wanted me to do.  It wasn’t easy because when a guy came along I wanted to throw caution to the wind and let logic take charge, but the Lord always reminded me what I went through and I needed to continue to trust Him with this.  He knew the desires of my heart and in time He would fulfill them.  Well He did because when I stopped searching and trying to help the Lord, He brought a man whom I married.

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LET’S PRAY

Lord, I commit my sisters into your loving arms today, be with them as they trust you with this area of Faith and boys.  I know how difficult it is to surrender this issue to you but that is the only way we can avoid heartbreak.  Lord we surrender our will to you today.  Open our eyes of faith to see what you have in store for us as we wait upon you.  You know the desires of our hearts and in time you shall fulfill them.  In Jesus Name. Amen.

 

YOUR ASSIGNMENT

  1. When you meet a guy you like, what comes out first logic or faith?

  2. Read through Hebrews 11 and underline all the verbs. Then go back through and confess, “By faith I can __________,” filling in the blank with the verbs from each verse.

Is there anything you can think of that you can’t do by faith?

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If you would like to take part in this Online Bible Study and 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!

 

Be Blessed,

Jackie

Saturdays with Shauna: Knitting!

Now that the weather is getting cooler here in Middle Tennessee, there’s nothing more relaxing to me than curling up under my favorite blanket with a steaming cup of hot chocolate next to me and a quick knitting project in my hands!  I discovered a love for knitting several years ago.  For me, it is calming and I get a sense of accomplishment when I can finish a quick project in a few hours’ time.

One of my favorite projects is a simple knit hat, which can be finished in one sitting if you have a few hours to spare.  Even if you don’t know how to knit, this is a great starter project and I’ve posted links along the way to help you learn!  A great resource for learning the basics is knittinghelp.com. There you can find free videos that show you how to do everything from cast on, knit, purl, cast off and everything in between.  So if you don’t understand something, search for a video on knittinghelp.com or check their message boards.

Now, let’s get started! 🙂

 Simple Knit Hat (adult size)

 

This is me sporting one of these hats I made last fall

 You will need: 

Size 13 knitting needles – 16” circular 

Size 13 double pointed knitting needles (set of 5)

One skein of Lion Brand “Hometown USA” Super Bulky yarn (weight 6) in your choice of color (or about 5 oz/81 yards of any other super bulky weight yarn of your choice, I just prefer to use Hometown USA because it’s inexpensive – $2.79/per skein on amazon.com — and comes in a variety of great colors for fall)

A large-eyed tapestry needle

A stitch marker 

A tape measure

To start, cast on 48 stitches using the circular needles.  If you are unsure how to cast on, see this video:  http://www.knittinghelp.com/video/play/long-tail-cast-on

Row 1:  Knit and join together, being careful not to twist.  Knit the entire row, marking the beginning of the row with a stitch marker.  To see how to join and make sure not to twist, see this video:  http://www.knittinghelp.com/video/play/circular-needle

And to learn the “knit” stitch:  http://www.knittinghelp.com/video/play/the-knit-stitch-english-english  And here is some information on using stitch markers:  http://www.knittinghelp.com/forum/showthread.php?t=99967

Knit every row until your work measures 8” long.

After you’ve got 8” knitted, you’re going to K2tog (knit two together) all the way across the next row.  Here is a video on how to K2tog:  http://www.knittinghelp.com/video/play/knit-2-together-english

Knit the next row.

Switch your work to the double pointed needles.  At this point, you should have 24 stitches, so just slip each stitch onto a double pointed needle – 6 stitches on each of the 4 needles.  Use the 5th needle in the set to work with.  Here is a video about working on double pointed needles (DPNs):  http://www.knittinghelp.com/video/play/double-pointed-needles

K2tog across the next row.

Knit the next row.

Now you’re ready to finish!  Cut your yarn and leave a 6” tail.  Thread this into your large-eyed tapestry needle and carefully transfer the remaining stitches off of the DPNs and thread your needle through them.  Pull the yarn tightly to gather the top of the hat.  Then stick your needle through to the inside of the hat and turn the hat inside out so you can weave in the end of the yarn on the inside where it won’t be seen.  Here is a post that talks about weaving in ends:  http://www.knittinghelp.com/forum/showthread.php?t=109276

Basically, you’re just going to work the yarn tail through a few stitches inside the hat (make sure you’re not going all the way through!  You don’t want to be able to see it on the right side of the hat) so that it doesn’t unravel.  After you feel like it’s tucked in there good and won’t come out, you can cut off any remaining length of your tail.

Guess what?  You’re DONE!  And you have a cute hat that you made to show off to all your friends!  It was fast and inexpensive too!  You could whip out a few of these for Christmas presents and bless everyone you know!  And as you learn more about knitting, you can add your own variations such as stripes in different colors or incorporating the purl stitch to make your hat look different.  I’d love to see your hats and hear about your projects, so please leave a comment below!  I hope you enjoy making many hats in the future and if you’re new to knitting, I hope this tutorial has sparked your interest in the craft!  Happy Knitting!

<3 Shauna

You can visit Shauna Jared’s personal blog, Work Home Play, for more crafts, DIY projects, and recipes!

Lady In Waiting: Ministry of Service, Writing, and Hospitality

This blog is brought to you

by Katie Blumberg

 

For me, the excuses began in college. I wanted to meet the perfect man, and in order for that to happen, I had to become the perfect woman. In my mind the perfect man for me would be studying to become a pastor or a youth pastor, therefore I would need to become the perfect pastor’s wife. How does one attain this high and regal status? By becoming a Biblical Studies major of course! Now don’t get me wrong, I loved studying the Word and diving through Scripture, pursuing the Lord, and learning about how to do ministry well in my every day life. I do not regret what I studied in school because it has made me the woman I am today; however, my initial intentions were not the holiest! I thought that as I waited for my future man, I would have to give up on becoming anything but a future wife of someone.

Continuing on to graduate school… Studying something that may lead to a job, rather than just a marital status… Pursuing a long-term mission’s trip to another country… Traveling to the other side of the country for a summer to work in a ministry position… Taking a fellowship in another state where I could pursue my dreams of owning a coffee shop, and be connected with other Christians who are figuring out life post-college… Joining Youth With a Mission and traveling the world spreading the good news… Moving in with my aunt in Georgia and doing ministry in her church… The list goes on and on. These are all service opportunities, dreams, and passions that I gave up as I waited for my future husband. “I’ll do that when I get married,” or “What if doing that leads me away from the man that I am supposed to be with, and I miss my opportunity with him?” were always thoughts that held me back from accepting my singleness and running towards my dreams. So here I sit, snuggling my cat in a city I feel safe in, surrounded by people I feel safe with, at a job that is safe. I only fear now that I will get married, eventually, and wonder what could have been if I had pursued the desires of my heart when I was single.

Ladies, you have all been blessed with gifts, desires, and passions. Some you may be figuring out, others you have known your entire life. Use them! Don’t wait around for your husband to arrive thinking that you will be able to pursue those things then! He is not going to make you any more able to be you than you can be RIGHT now! Have you been blessed with a servants’ heart? Find out the needs of those in your neighborhood (ministry is not confined to a four-walled building we call the church!) and help them!

Has the Lord given you the gift of encouragement? Write a letter, and email, send a text, or meet a friend for coffee and tell them how much they have blessed you. Is opening your home to friends and family exciting to you? Break out your best dishes, cook up a delicious meal and invite over everyone you know! Please don’t stuff those gifts inside thinking you’ll pull them out on a rainy day or that your husband will help you to become the woman you were meant to be.

Use this time to build relationships with amazing, godly women who will encourage and lift you up, surround you with love, keep you accountable, and push you to use those gifts for the Lord.

“It is doubtful that there could ever be a better time to serve Jesus than this “moment” of singleness. Rather than wasting precious moments fantasizing about an earthly lover, take advantage of your free hours each day to serve the Lord of Heaven. If you are frustrated and distracted, rather than fruitfully serving Jesus, then ask Him right now to adjust your vision.” (pg 33).

Take this time to let the Lord teach you who you are, what you love, and how you will be used to advance his Kingdom. Your husband is not going to tell you those things, and guess what?! I bet that amazing man will be even more attracted to you if you have spent time figuring these things out, building a strong foundation in Christ, and serving the Lord and your neighbor even without him by your side! Take the risk you have been putting off for fear of losing your chance with ‘him.’ Figure out your love language, and start loving on everyone who comes across your path!

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 Let’s Pray:

 Abba, Pappa; thank you for your grace and mercy on us. Thank you for bestowing gifts upon us to bless you and others with. Please teach us to prayerfully and thoughtfully use these gifts in the way that you intended. Give us the courage to explore our interests; teach us who we are in YOU, so that we never lose our identity, even in marriage! Instill in us a servants heart, and a desire to seek out your plan for our lives. In the name of Jesus Christ we pray, Amen.

Your Assignment:

What have you given up for fear that you will miss out on finding the man of your dreams? Are you waiting to start something big because you think you need a husband to help you? If so, what step are you going to take to stop sitting around bored and day-dreaming about your fantasy man, and start acting on what the Lord has given you? Let’s get started ladies!

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Meet Katie Blumber – Blog Contributor Singles Ministry

Katie is a recent graduate from a small Christian liberal arts school, with a degree in Biblical Studies and Human Services. She has a huge ache for deep justice in her community and city, and longs to do God’s work in her every day life.

She is a barista at a local coffee shop, where she gets to serve amazing coffee and interact with people all day long. She volunteers at her church, loves going to shows and discovering new bands, and spends time with her amazing friends any chance that she gets.

For Katie, life is all about living out Christ’s love in the community that she lives in.  She is also passionate about purity, healthy relationships, and teaching others to see themselves the way that Christ sees them.

Lady In Waiting: Lady in Reckless Abandonment / Alabaster Box

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

Lady In Waiting: Let’s Begin!

Good Morning!

My name is Jackie Chingawale, and I am the Singles Ministry Co-Leader of Girlfriends Coffee Hour, also known as GCH.  I want to welcome you to GCH! We are a group of women all across the world that love the Lord Jesus, and are always looking for ways to better our walk with Him, and improve not only our selves, but those around us, 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. 

Today, we embark upon a new journey as we begin our first Singles Ministry Online Bible Study “Lady in Waiting – Becoming God’s Best While Waiting for Mr. Right by Jackie Kendall and Debbie Jones.

I can’t begin to tell you just how excited I am about this study! Being involved in Singles Ministry, I have learned that single women across the world face struggle with loneliness and finding their place in a society which tends to give emphasis on women based on their marital status.  A single woman is perceived as someone who is not complete!
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.

  • Jackie Kendall and Debbie Jones want to direct your attention toward the One who really understands the longing of her heart.  Too many women grow up believing that the inconsolable ache in her heart is for “a man.” To love a man, get married, and then have children is thought to be the only script that will satisfy her heart’s deepest longing. But no man, woman, or child can appease this longing; it can only be satisfied by the ultimate Bridegroom, Christ Jesus. This book nudges a woman closer to God, while acknowledging any longing she may have to be loved and cherished by a man.
  • You will discover that Lady in Waiting is not about finding the right man, but being the right woman.
  • The focus will be on the ten qualities of a godly woman that are found in the Book of Ruth. These qualities will not only enhance your love relationship with your heavenly Bridegroom, but also guide you as a single woman, guard you while you date, support you in marriage, and comfort you if you are ever widowed or divorced.
  • Lady in Waiting goes beyond pop psychology and clings to the steadfast foundation of God’s Word. Creatively integrating biblical truth with an honest evaluation of the struggles facing today’s single woman.
  • You will find hope and practical illustrations to apply to everyday challenges in being God’s woman.
  • You will find prayer, support, encouragement, accountability, motivation, love, from other women, just like you, who are currently single or divorced or married and are willing to share how they face each day with the help of Christ Jesus.

Wow! Now can you see why we are so very excited to go on this journey with you!!??
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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 day’s lesson.

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 where you have been assigned, to discuss that day’s 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 Singles 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 Michelle Graziano my Co-leader, Tonya Ellison, Diane Meyers and I. 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:

October 1: Lady of Reckless Abandonment / Alabaster Box – Michelle
October 2:   Ruth’s Reckless Abandonment – Jackie
October 3: New Friends / New Surroundings / New Faith – Tonya
October 4: Dividends from a High Place / Dividends from a High Place – Michelle
October 5: The Missing Puzzle Piece / Satisfied by a Heavenly Fiancé – Diane
October 6: Fun with Shauna

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DON’T FORGET TO MARK YOUR CALENDARS!!

Monday, October 1st, Conference Call Special Guest Speaker is:

Lois Breit

Lois has an amazing testimony of how God took her mess and turned it into a message!!  She is an ordained minister with the Assemblies of God and works as a U.S. Missionary to Single Moms.  She speaks at Single Mom events for all denominations across the United States and teaches leadership workshops to help better equip the Church in reaching the single parent families of their community.

If you would like to take part in this call, you must sign-up for this Online Bible Study!  You can do so by clicking on the “Sign-Up Here” button that is located in the Menu Bar at the top of our webpage.

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 become God’s best while waiting for Mr. Right, 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 lives.
I pray Lord for each woman that is feeling lonely and abandoned in her journey as a single woman. 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 Lord, through Your eyes.

Father break our hearts for what breaks Yours, in this Lady in Waiting 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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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