{"id":12620,"date":"2013-06-21T01:00:55","date_gmt":"2013-06-21T05:00:55","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/girlfriendscoffeehour.com\/?p=12620"},"modified":"2013-06-20T22:01:39","modified_gmt":"2013-06-21T02:01:39","slug":"girls-with-swords-chapter-13-review-contest-included","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/girlfriendscoffeehour.com\/wordpress\/2013\/06\/21\/girls-with-swords-chapter-13-review-contest-included\/","title":{"rendered":"Girls with Swords: Chapter 13 Weekly Review \u2013 \u201cSword of Forgiveness and Restoration\u201d (Contest Included)"},"content":{"rendered":"

\u00a0Welcome to Campground USA<\/span><\/h2>\n

Log Cabins, Nature Trails, Canoes<\/b><\/p>\n

Paddle Boats, Bikes, Fisher<\/strong><\/p>\n

_________________________________________<\/div>\n

For the last few weeks, I have felt like a kid on Christmas morning as I unwrapped each gift God has literally placed in my hands. \u00a0He gave me a:<\/p>\n

    \n
  • \n

    Sword of Harvest<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

  • \n

    Sword of Light<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

  • \n

    Sword of Song<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

  • \n

    Sword of Silence<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

  • \n

    Sword of Forgiveness and Restoration<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

    My thanks to Lisa Bevere for helping me realize just how much God loves me. \u00a0Oh, you got the same bag of Swords? \u00a0Well, of course you did! \u00a0I feel a song coming on. \u00a0Sing it with me.<\/p>\n

    \n

    “Oh, how He loves you and me. Oh, how He loves you and me.
    \nHe gave His life, what more could He give.
    \nOh how He loves you, Oh how He loves me, Oh how He loves you and me!”<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

    But, He did<\/em> give more. \u00a0Not only did He give His life for us, but He gave us a bag of swords to join with Him on the battleground in which the enemy rages war against us.<\/p>\n

    Let\u2019s go on down to the bonfire, and learn more about this Sword of Forgiveness and Restoration<\/em> from my\u00a0four girlfriends. \u00a0And BTW, don\u2019t be in such a hurry to leave the bonfire tonight. \u00a0It is<\/strong> Bible Sword Drill Time.<\/strong><\/em> \u00a0You don\u2019t want to miss it. \u00a0You will see the quiz questions below this review. \u00a0Answer the questions to the best of your ability, without using your Bible. \u00a0Submit your questions; we will announce the winner on SUNDAY, June 23rd! \u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

    _________<\/p>\n

    Teresa<\/span><\/b><\/p>\n

    The concept of \u201cstooping beneath\u201d<\/b> someone else is seen as subservient and undesirable.\u00a0 Pride is prized above personal relationships.\u00a0 Grudges are held until the reason for the anger can no longer be remembered<\/span>.\u00a0 Stubbornness and pride are not virtues in God\u2019s economy; humbleness and forgiveness are.<\/p>\n

    Quoting Lisa:<\/p>\n

      \n
    • We have to be devoted to a greater cause than our individual rights and opinions.<\/li>\n
    • Though we are entrusted with a Sword of the Spirit, we are not armed to harm. <\/i><\/li>\n
    • We do not fight to tear down, but to build up. \u00a0The authority heaven lends to us on earth is to destroy evil by doing good.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

      Someone will eventually need to \u201cstoop\u201d<\/i> to show love. <\/b>\u00a0Make 1 Corinthians 13 your guide as you break down family curses.<\/b><\/p>\n

      All have sinned and come short of the glory of God<\/i>. \u00a0(Romans 3:23)<\/p>\n

      Jennifer <\/span><\/b><\/p>\n

      During a visit with her father, who\u00a0was in a facility due to dementia, Lisa relates a story about God\u2019s faithfulness. Lisa sensed that her father was fully cognizant of who she and her children were; and she prayed asking God what she should say. Here is the exchange:<\/p>\n

        \n
      • \u201cHeavenly Father, what should I say<\/i>?\u201d<\/li>\n
      • The response was: \u00a0\u201cTell him he was a good dad<\/i>.\u201d<\/li>\n
      • I countered, \u201cThat\u2019s a lie! I am not going to lie to him\u2026<\/span>especially not now! He was not a good father<\/i>.\u201d<\/li>\n
      • I heard a firm assurance: \u201cHe was as good as he knew how to be<\/i>.\u201d<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

        If you<\/span> are nurturing hurt from a broken relationship and God is prompting you to move toward restoration, listen to what He has to say and then act. \u00a0His timing is always perfect and He knows just what we need to say and do every time.<\/b><\/p>\n

        Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of malicious behavior. \u00a0Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you. \u00a0<\/i>(Ephesians 4:31-32)<\/p>\n

        Tonya \u00a0<\/span><\/b><\/p>\n

        As a Bereavement Counselor I have seen unforgiveness<\/span><\/b><\/p>\n

          \n
        • lead<\/span> to children not visiting their parent<\/span> as they die<\/li>\n
        • breed<\/span> words of hurt and hate, open wounds that were thought closed, and cause those wounds to go unhealed\u2026<\/span>opportunities gone.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

          I have also seen forgiveness<\/b><\/p>\n

            \n
          • build<\/span> bridges, heal hearts, create new beginnings, new opportunities relationships restored and mended.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

            We don\u2019t know what will happen after we pick up that sword of forgiveness and carry it with us on our journey. But what we do know is after we forgive, after we lay the issue at God\u2019s feet and allow love to fill the space where the unforgiveness<\/span> lived, that God will take over.\u00a0 He will fulfill the promises He made regarding relationships before they were even formed.<\/p>\n

            Forgiveness – -whom the Son sets free is free indeed.<\/b><\/p>\n

            Kim<\/span><\/b><\/p>\n

            What is your story, dear friend?<\/p>\n

              \n
            • Do you have deep wounds that still need healing?<\/li>\n
            • Perhaps you have overcome and you are in a good place, but someone in your family is struggling and you are just at your end with it. The ripple effect is reaching everyone including your children.<\/li>\n
            • Did your daddy love you and tell you how beautiful you were, or are you still begging for his attention?<\/li>\n
            • Was your childhood stolen by someone who had no right to do so?<\/li>\n
            • Maybe something happened in your life as an adult and you’re ashamed of the way you dealt with it.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

              Your story is full of opportunities to help someone else struggling<\/b>. Only when we have let go of resentment and forgive can we be free. \u00a0As Lisa said:\u00a0\u00a0“How might God use you as an agent of restoration?”<\/b><\/p>\n

              He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others when they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us. \u00a0<\/i>(2 Corinthians 1:4)<\/p>\n

              ***********<\/p>\n

              Let\u2019s Pray: \u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n

              Father God, we are so thankful that You gave Your life for us so that we might have a home in heaven with You. \u00a0But, we are also so thankful that You did not leave us stranded as the enemy tries to wage war against us here on this earth. \u00a0Help us look to You for guidance as to how and when to use the Sword You have given us. \u00a0In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.<\/p>\n

               <\/p>\n

              \u00a0DON’T LEAVE YET!! \u00a0IT’S QUIZ TIME!!<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n

               <\/p>\n

              \"QUIZ<\/p>\n

               <\/p>\n