Tonight we heard Ken Davis talk about how hearing "I love you" can heal a wounded heart. He told us that following rules does not make you a good Christian but loving one another is the true way to act Christ like.
Sometimes we get twisted in what Christianity is really all about. God tells us if you really wannt to show people you're a follower of Christ you need to love one another. The human soul needs to be loved.
Each one of us have a wounded heart and that would wound can be healed just a little when we hear someone say "I love you." A husband, a wife, a child, a parent, a friend...they can all benefit from hearing you say "I love you". We are all desperate for love.
Sometimes we try to heal the wound in our heart with things, homes, cars. We make mental lists of what we've accomplished and perhaps that will help heal the wound. But wounds cannot be healed without love.
Sometimes we expect from others only what God can provide. A wound can only be healed completely when we stand before God, naked, all our sins revealed, when we understand that we need a personal relationship with God.
When we know we're loved, our wounds are healed.
What a wonderful message to hear. Jesus can heal our wounds, and through that healing, we can be an ointment to help heal someone else's wounded heart.
Next week, we'll be putting together bags to give to EVE, women's shelter. We'd love to have you join us!
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
Friday, October 16, 2009
Let the Music Play
On Weds., we had a very special guest speaker named Noreen Midgley. She is a Junk lady. I say that in the nicest way since she collects what other people think of as "junk" and refurbishes it into something beautiful. She related it to how Jesus can take someone others think of as junk and turn them into a beautiful new creation in Him.
She showed us some really fun ways to use things others may have put at the end of the driveway to have the junk man take away and make them into treasures.
My favorite was a piece of an old player piano that had moving parts that she turned into a photo holder. She added a bow and a note on the paper of the player piano that said "Let the Music Play". How cute!
She gave us some creative ideas on how to display food at a potluck--cutting a globe in half, putting it on a stand, putting a bowl of beans inside and putting a note sticking out that said "Best Beans in the World". Cute!!
She encouraged us to not be afraid of tools--a hammer, a screwdriver, a tape measure and even a belt sander that she proved could not hurt us!!
What a fun evening full of fun ideas for us all. Thank you Noreen for sharing how God is using you to share His story through your junk!!
Visit Noreen at http://www.refunctionjunktion.com/
She showed us some really fun ways to use things others may have put at the end of the driveway to have the junk man take away and make them into treasures.
My favorite was a piece of an old player piano that had moving parts that she turned into a photo holder. She added a bow and a note on the paper of the player piano that said "Let the Music Play". How cute!
She gave us some creative ideas on how to display food at a potluck--cutting a globe in half, putting it on a stand, putting a bowl of beans inside and putting a note sticking out that said "Best Beans in the World". Cute!!
She encouraged us to not be afraid of tools--a hammer, a screwdriver, a tape measure and even a belt sander that she proved could not hurt us!!
What a fun evening full of fun ideas for us all. Thank you Noreen for sharing how God is using you to share His story through your junk!!
Visit Noreen at http://www.refunctionjunktion.com/
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
Taking a Walk with Deborah
Tonight, we started our first Bible Study out of the book A Mile in Her Shoes and we discussed Deborah. In the book of Judges, we read the story of Deborah who was a Judge. She was a woman who rose up in oppressive times, she was connected to God, she was flexible, she was able to work with the opposite gender in a time where that was not the norm, she was an encourager and she was grateful to God for her victories.
As a woman who rose up in oppressive times, she demonstrated how we can take the negative situations in our lives and use them to propel rather than sink us. The author tells us that we have the God-given ability to lead others, or maybe yourself, out of a bad situation.
As a woman who is connected with God, she showed us that we too must be connected to God if we want to hear God's instructions for us. Not only did Deborah hear, but she responded with obedience.
As a woman who is flexible, she showed us that change can catch us off guard sometimes, and change has the ability to knock us off balance. Our relationship with God gives us the needed stability.
As a woman who was forced to work with the opposite sex in an environment that is not the norm, she showed us that when life places us in circumstances requiring teamwork, it is vital to rely on God.
As a woman who encouraged, she showed us that there is amazing power in the gift of encouragement. God has designed your circle of influence to include people who only you can reach so we should make it a priority to learn how to encourage others.
As a woman who is grateful for her victories, she showed us that being grateful to God reflects how we feel about God. God expects thankfulness from us.
We had some wonderful discussions on what a great example Deborah is to all of us as women leaders.
Join us next week as we hear Noreen from Refuntion Junktion.
As a woman who rose up in oppressive times, she demonstrated how we can take the negative situations in our lives and use them to propel rather than sink us. The author tells us that we have the God-given ability to lead others, or maybe yourself, out of a bad situation.
As a woman who is connected with God, she showed us that we too must be connected to God if we want to hear God's instructions for us. Not only did Deborah hear, but she responded with obedience.
As a woman who is flexible, she showed us that change can catch us off guard sometimes, and change has the ability to knock us off balance. Our relationship with God gives us the needed stability.
As a woman who was forced to work with the opposite sex in an environment that is not the norm, she showed us that when life places us in circumstances requiring teamwork, it is vital to rely on God.
As a woman who encouraged, she showed us that there is amazing power in the gift of encouragement. God has designed your circle of influence to include people who only you can reach so we should make it a priority to learn how to encourage others.
As a woman who is grateful for her victories, she showed us that being grateful to God reflects how we feel about God. God expects thankfulness from us.
We had some wonderful discussions on what a great example Deborah is to all of us as women leaders.
Join us next week as we hear Noreen from Refuntion Junktion.
Thursday, October 1, 2009
A Walk to Remember part two
What a wonderful evening we had watching the second half of the video A Walk to Remember by Renee Swoope.
She talked about how she was a Busy body Christian...always doing, being busy for God. She was saved but not satisfied. Then she felt an uneasieness in her soul which made her stop and it at the feet of Jesus and Listen.
She was ready to say "Yes, I'll be a fool for you, God."
In her life, she was busy with marriage, motherhood, and ministry. She found a book on motherhood that encouraged her to be "Miner for Gold in the lives of her children." She thought about how nice that would be to have in her life and felt God saying to her "I am the goldminer!" God told her that she was the one who was always focused on the negatives, on her mistakes but God wanted to see the good in her. God took her mess and gave her a message.
She brought out a vase which represented our life and how we put things in our lives to fill it, like clothes, children, spouses, friends, houses, food, chocolate but there things never fill all the empty places in our heart. It never satisfies us.
She told a story about Jesus at the well with the Samaritan woman. Jesus offered her living water saying "Jesus answered, "Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life." John 4:13-14.
She brought back another vase that was empty and filled it, with no empty spaces with water. If we allow Jesus to be our living water, we will be satisfied, there will be no holes.
She encouraged us to open our heart through reading the Bible and to read books by Christian women who have walked with Christ.
She encouraged us to move from having Christianity be a Sunday experience to having Christianity be a life experience.
She gave us some Faith promises that each women took home with her. One of those faith promises was our theme verse " For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11.
What wonderful comfort to know that God has a plan for each and every one of us.
Next week, we'll do our first Bible Study on Deborah. Please do your homework every day before you come!!
She talked about how she was a Busy body Christian...always doing, being busy for God. She was saved but not satisfied. Then she felt an uneasieness in her soul which made her stop and it at the feet of Jesus and Listen.
She was ready to say "Yes, I'll be a fool for you, God."
In her life, she was busy with marriage, motherhood, and ministry. She found a book on motherhood that encouraged her to be "Miner for Gold in the lives of her children." She thought about how nice that would be to have in her life and felt God saying to her "I am the goldminer!" God told her that she was the one who was always focused on the negatives, on her mistakes but God wanted to see the good in her. God took her mess and gave her a message.
She brought out a vase which represented our life and how we put things in our lives to fill it, like clothes, children, spouses, friends, houses, food, chocolate but there things never fill all the empty places in our heart. It never satisfies us.
She told a story about Jesus at the well with the Samaritan woman. Jesus offered her living water saying "Jesus answered, "Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life." John 4:13-14.
She brought back another vase that was empty and filled it, with no empty spaces with water. If we allow Jesus to be our living water, we will be satisfied, there will be no holes.
She encouraged us to open our heart through reading the Bible and to read books by Christian women who have walked with Christ.
She encouraged us to move from having Christianity be a Sunday experience to having Christianity be a life experience.
She gave us some Faith promises that each women took home with her. One of those faith promises was our theme verse " For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11.
What wonderful comfort to know that God has a plan for each and every one of us.
Next week, we'll do our first Bible Study on Deborah. Please do your homework every day before you come!!
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
A Walk to Remember
Tonight we watched a DVD of speaker Renee Swope titled "A Walk to Remember". Renee told us about her life and how she came to know the Lord on a personal level.
She told us how she was living a life that focused on accumulating things, money and working towards success but there was something missing. Those things did not make her feel complete, there was a hole in her heart that was not filled with any of those things.
She wanted to have a life that was a "Walk to Remember", a life that made a difference for Christ.
She committed her life to Christ and learned that the Bible was her "Manna in the Desert."
Next week, we'll finish the DVD with more of Renee talking about her own life and how God called her into ministry.
She told us how she was living a life that focused on accumulating things, money and working towards success but there was something missing. Those things did not make her feel complete, there was a hole in her heart that was not filled with any of those things.
She wanted to have a life that was a "Walk to Remember", a life that made a difference for Christ.
She committed her life to Christ and learned that the Bible was her "Manna in the Desert."
Next week, we'll finish the DVD with more of Renee talking about her own life and how God called her into ministry.
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
A New Year...Walking in Obedience
We started our 4th year of Club Mom and Girlfriends today. There is an amazing group of women that come and we want to welcome women of ages in all stages of life to join us and experience all the wonderful fellowship we have.
This year, our theme verse is found in Jeremiah 29:11 "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "Plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future."
We talked about how in the Bible, Joshua told the priests who were carrying the ark to step foot in the fast moving, overflowing Jordan River and the waters would not part until they all stepped foot into that river. We talked about how much faith it took to be obedient and take those first few steps.
We talked about how God is calling each one of us to be obedient to His calling . We traced our feet, put our name on one foot and wrote down where we feel God is calling us to be obedient on the other foot. Then we put our feet on the wall with one foot stepping into the river as a reminder that we need to take that first step of obedience before God will hold back the waters in our life.
We put special yellow feet in the rushing water of the river to remind us of Sandi, who is daily walking in obedience to God as she is working to recover from her double lung transplant in North Carolina.
We look forward to an exciting year, leaning on each other, helping each other grow, and watching how our obedience to God will provide blessing beyond our wildest dreams.
See you next week for a DVD of Renee Swope, a speaker for Proverbs 31 Ministries.
This year, our theme verse is found in Jeremiah 29:11 "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "Plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future."
We talked about how in the Bible, Joshua told the priests who were carrying the ark to step foot in the fast moving, overflowing Jordan River and the waters would not part until they all stepped foot into that river. We talked about how much faith it took to be obedient and take those first few steps.We talked about how God is calling each one of us to be obedient to His calling . We traced our feet, put our name on one foot and wrote down where we feel God is calling us to be obedient on the other foot. Then we put our feet on the wall with one foot stepping into the river as a reminder that we need to take that first step of obedience before God will hold back the waters in our life.
We put special yellow feet in the rushing water of the river to remind us of Sandi, who is daily walking in obedience to God as she is working to recover from her double lung transplant in North Carolina.We look forward to an exciting year, leaning on each other, helping each other grow, and watching how our obedience to God will provide blessing beyond our wildest dreams.
See you next week for a DVD of Renee Swope, a speaker for Proverbs 31 Ministries.
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
Ready for the New Year
Summer is almost over...although, some days this summer I wondered if summer ever came!
We'll be jumping right back into the Club Mom and Girlfriends schedule on Sept. 16 and you DON'T want to miss it!! This is going to be an incredible year! We have some incredible speakers lined up, some fun activities and service projects. I can't wait to get back together with all you ladies and hear about your summers!!
This year, our theme verse is found in Jeremiah 29:11 and it says "'For I know the plans I have for you,' delcares the Lord, 'Plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.'"
This verse always gives me such peace as I think about my future and what it holds. God knows the plans for ME! He doesn't want me to be harmed but he wants to prosper.
A definition of prosper: to be successful or fortunate, esp. in financial respects; thrive; flourish.
God's definition of prosper might be very different. Have you ever thought about the fact that if God gave you success in financial respects, you may think you have everything under control and think you don't need God anymore. Or, if you are flourishing, that it's by your doing and that you don't need to rely daily on our Lord and Savior.
Just because our society says that "success" is having money and a flourishing career, that doesn't mean God defines it that way.
The Hebrew word for prosper in this verse is "Shalom". We may associate this word with peace but it also means “Completeness, wholeness, harmony, fulfillment. . . . Unimpaired relationships with others and with God.”
So the emphasis of the word is not on economic prosperity, but more on the positive relationship with God and others.
God wants a relationship with me...He's waiting for me to initiate it...waiting for me to come into his waiting arms...waiting for me to ask Him what His plans are for my future and boldly walking in faith that God plans will "prosper (me) and not harm (me), giving (me) a hope and a future."
Join us this year as we walk together on a journey of obedience to God in our daily lives.
We'll be jumping right back into the Club Mom and Girlfriends schedule on Sept. 16 and you DON'T want to miss it!! This is going to be an incredible year! We have some incredible speakers lined up, some fun activities and service projects. I can't wait to get back together with all you ladies and hear about your summers!!
This year, our theme verse is found in Jeremiah 29:11 and it says "'For I know the plans I have for you,' delcares the Lord, 'Plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.'"
This verse always gives me such peace as I think about my future and what it holds. God knows the plans for ME! He doesn't want me to be harmed but he wants to prosper.
A definition of prosper: to be successful or fortunate, esp. in financial respects; thrive; flourish.
God's definition of prosper might be very different. Have you ever thought about the fact that if God gave you success in financial respects, you may think you have everything under control and think you don't need God anymore. Or, if you are flourishing, that it's by your doing and that you don't need to rely daily on our Lord and Savior.
Just because our society says that "success" is having money and a flourishing career, that doesn't mean God defines it that way.
The Hebrew word for prosper in this verse is "Shalom". We may associate this word with peace but it also means “Completeness, wholeness, harmony, fulfillment. . . . Unimpaired relationships with others and with God.”
So the emphasis of the word is not on economic prosperity, but more on the positive relationship with God and others.
God wants a relationship with me...He's waiting for me to initiate it...waiting for me to come into his waiting arms...waiting for me to ask Him what His plans are for my future and boldly walking in faith that God plans will "prosper (me) and not harm (me), giving (me) a hope and a future."
Join us this year as we walk together on a journey of obedience to God in our daily lives.
Monday, May 4, 2009
It's almost here...Real Beauty Weekend!
I'm so excited! The speaker, Shari Braendel is coming on Friday to talk to us all about "What Not to Wear"! She is so fun and full of energy and I promise you will laugh and learn a lot about yourself and what does and doesn't look good on you!
Join us by e-mailing us for tickets at realbeautyweekend@gmail.com.
See below for all the details!
You probably have seen or at least heard of the tv show on TLC called “What Not to Wear.” On this popular show Clinton and Stacey help those who are fashion challenged make over their wardrobe by throwing out the old wardrobe and replacing it with the right clothing that accentuates and enhances your body.
You are invited to a Christian version of “What Not to Wear” on May 8 & 9 with nationally known speaker, fashion consultant, and author Shari Braendel at Grand Ledge Baptist Church. Shari (www.sharibraendel.com) firmly believes that “good girls don’t have to dress bad” and will be sharing her tried and true tips of how to dress so that the clothing highlights the entire being rather than just a few suggestive regions. She offers practical image and style advice for all shapes and sizes.
Friday evening ($10 for adults, $5 for girls 18 and under) will be a night devoted just for girls (ages 8 & up) and their moms. Every girl loves a fashion show! What better way to raise awareness of the impact of how we dress can have on every one. What Not to Wear- Teen Edition is an exciting event packed with music, videos, and fun. Shari involves every girl as they discover how to be fashionable and feel wonderful about who they are. She will be sharing age appropriate style and fashion tips, the truth about real beauty, and the value of raising the bar on modesty and purity. The girls will leave having experienced the joy of loving themselves exactly as they are and exactly as God intended.
Saturday ($20, 2 tickets for $30 with lunch) is a day devoted just for women. What Not to Wear- A Girlfriends Guide to Glamour will be a day of opportunity for women to hear a Christian perspective on Fashion and Beauty. Women everywhere ask the same question, “How does this make me look?” Women will learn how to become the whole package as Shari details professional and practical tips to accentuate your God-given natural assets while unveiling your true, inner beauty.
She will share how to do the following:
· determine your real body type and clothing styles that suit you best,
· the truth about color (including individualized color analysis)
· share fashion tips that make you slimmer, more confident and inspire you
· tips to accessorize with confidence
· tips for buying jeans that fit
· why God thinks you are beautiful.
All events will take place at Grand Ledge Baptist Church on May 8 & 9. Friday evening is from 7-10pm with doors opening at 6 pm. Friday tickets are $10 for adults, $5 for girls 18 and under. Saturday is from 10 am to 3 pm with doors opening and individual color analysis available at 9 am. Saturday Tickets are $20 or 2 for $30 which includes lunch. Tickets can be purchased at either Grand Ledge Baptist Church office or Immanuel Community Reformed Church office. Or can be requested by e-mail at realbeautyweekend@gmail.com (you will receive directions for payment with a return e-mail.)
Join us by e-mailing us for tickets at realbeautyweekend@gmail.com.
See below for all the details!
You probably have seen or at least heard of the tv show on TLC called “What Not to Wear.” On this popular show Clinton and Stacey help those who are fashion challenged make over their wardrobe by throwing out the old wardrobe and replacing it with the right clothing that accentuates and enhances your body.
You are invited to a Christian version of “What Not to Wear” on May 8 & 9 with nationally known speaker, fashion consultant, and author Shari Braendel at Grand Ledge Baptist Church. Shari (www.sharibraendel.com) firmly believes that “good girls don’t have to dress bad” and will be sharing her tried and true tips of how to dress so that the clothing highlights the entire being rather than just a few suggestive regions. She offers practical image and style advice for all shapes and sizes.
Friday evening ($10 for adults, $5 for girls 18 and under) will be a night devoted just for girls (ages 8 & up) and their moms. Every girl loves a fashion show! What better way to raise awareness of the impact of how we dress can have on every one. What Not to Wear- Teen Edition is an exciting event packed with music, videos, and fun. Shari involves every girl as they discover how to be fashionable and feel wonderful about who they are. She will be sharing age appropriate style and fashion tips, the truth about real beauty, and the value of raising the bar on modesty and purity. The girls will leave having experienced the joy of loving themselves exactly as they are and exactly as God intended.
Saturday ($20, 2 tickets for $30 with lunch) is a day devoted just for women. What Not to Wear- A Girlfriends Guide to Glamour will be a day of opportunity for women to hear a Christian perspective on Fashion and Beauty. Women everywhere ask the same question, “How does this make me look?” Women will learn how to become the whole package as Shari details professional and practical tips to accentuate your God-given natural assets while unveiling your true, inner beauty.
She will share how to do the following:
· determine your real body type and clothing styles that suit you best,
· the truth about color (including individualized color analysis)
· share fashion tips that make you slimmer, more confident and inspire you
· tips to accessorize with confidence
· tips for buying jeans that fit
· why God thinks you are beautiful.
All events will take place at Grand Ledge Baptist Church on May 8 & 9. Friday evening is from 7-10pm with doors opening at 6 pm. Friday tickets are $10 for adults, $5 for girls 18 and under. Saturday is from 10 am to 3 pm with doors opening and individual color analysis available at 9 am. Saturday Tickets are $20 or 2 for $30 which includes lunch. Tickets can be purchased at either Grand Ledge Baptist Church office or Immanuel Community Reformed Church office. Or can be requested by e-mail at realbeautyweekend@gmail.com (you will receive directions for payment with a return e-mail.)
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
End of our 3rd year
A Barbie cake $10
A few more snacks $20
A few more snacks $20
The group of women at Club Mom and Girlfriends $$PRICELESS$$
We took our flowers off the wall tonight...the flowers that we worked on the first week of Club Mom and Girlfriends! We each had 6 petals and on each petal, we wrote down what we wanted to work on throughout the year. The 6 petals were: YOURSELF, EXTENDED FAMILY, CHILDREN, YOUR MARRIAGE, YOUR RELATIONSHIP WITH CHRIST, and FRIENDSHIPS.
Some of us looked back on what we wrote and were surprised that we actually did work on what we had written down. Others saw that they still needed to work on these petals of our lives. We learned a lot this year, we laughed, we cried and most of all, we grew closer in our relationship to our Lord and Savior and to each other.
I thank God for each and every woman who stepped foot in the door of Club Mom and Girlfriends and I pray we touched their life in a way they will never forget.
We look forward to seeing you all back next year!
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
Friendships of Women
Tonight our speaker was Heather Vanderlaan! She gave a great talk on how important friendships are.
Friends can be helpers, protectors, and an emotional support. Heather told us it's normal to have friends that are annual friends and friends that are perrenial friends. Annual friends are ones that are in your life for a season and you may help them or they may help you and then they are gone from your life and that's O.K. Perrenial friends are friends that will always be there for you. You may not see them everyday but you know they will always be there for you when you need them.
Heather told us "Relationships are more important then accomplishments."
She told us the story in Mark 4 about the paralytic man whose friends brought him to Jesus and when they saw the crowd and saw that there was no way to get through the crowd, they went through the roof instead! What incredible friend and what incredible faith they had, so much faith that Jesus told the man that his sins were forgiven and he was healed because of the faith of his friends.
From this story, we learned the we should persue friends like the paralytic man's friends persued him. We learned that we should serve one another, being the hands and feet of Jesus-like the man's friends were his hands and feet that got him to Jesus. We learned that we should believe for each other, Jesus healed the man because of the faith of his friends.
Thank you Heather for reminding us that we need to make friendships a priority.
See you next week for our end of the year celebration.
Friends can be helpers, protectors, and an emotional support. Heather told us it's normal to have friends that are annual friends and friends that are perrenial friends. Annual friends are ones that are in your life for a season and you may help them or they may help you and then they are gone from your life and that's O.K. Perrenial friends are friends that will always be there for you. You may not see them everyday but you know they will always be there for you when you need them.
Heather told us "Relationships are more important then accomplishments."
She told us the story in Mark 4 about the paralytic man whose friends brought him to Jesus and when they saw the crowd and saw that there was no way to get through the crowd, they went through the roof instead! What incredible friend and what incredible faith they had, so much faith that Jesus told the man that his sins were forgiven and he was healed because of the faith of his friends.
From this story, we learned the we should persue friends like the paralytic man's friends persued him. We learned that we should serve one another, being the hands and feet of Jesus-like the man's friends were his hands and feet that got him to Jesus. We learned that we should believe for each other, Jesus healed the man because of the faith of his friends.
Thank you Heather for reminding us that we need to make friendships a priority.
See you next week for our end of the year celebration.
Nurturing Your Friendships-a little late
I'm so sorry, I forgot to blog last weeks lesson so here it is a week late!
Pastor Rich talked to us about Nurturing Your Friendships and told us that strong friendships require nurturing and protection.
He said that building friendships can be just as complicated as maintaining friendships. A friendship starts with self-disclosure, then requires taking risks, opening doors and taking down walls. It requires active listening and time.
For a friendship to remain strong and healthy we need to do some work! Friendships are often sacraficed to the business of life-job and family. But friendships can help you get through life by being a support system, an escape from stress and an avenue to express a part of you that you may not be able to express in other avenues of life.
He asked us to take a friendship test:
1) Make a quick list of all your "good friends"
2) Now, write the date when you last communicated with them in any way
3) When was the last time you tried to find out about the struggles in their life?
4) What is the ratio of your telling them your problems and your asking them about theirs
It was good to review how much we need our friends and how much they need us! I found a study that stated that when women are able to connect with women on various emotional levels it can assist in lowering blood pressure, heart rate and cholesterol. So, what that says to me is that you should go have coffee, dinner, desserts or just water with your friends, explaining that it's all for our health!
So, enjoy your friends and spend time with them!
Pastor Rich talked to us about Nurturing Your Friendships and told us that strong friendships require nurturing and protection.
He said that building friendships can be just as complicated as maintaining friendships. A friendship starts with self-disclosure, then requires taking risks, opening doors and taking down walls. It requires active listening and time.
For a friendship to remain strong and healthy we need to do some work! Friendships are often sacraficed to the business of life-job and family. But friendships can help you get through life by being a support system, an escape from stress and an avenue to express a part of you that you may not be able to express in other avenues of life.
He asked us to take a friendship test:
1) Make a quick list of all your "good friends"
2) Now, write the date when you last communicated with them in any way
3) When was the last time you tried to find out about the struggles in their life?
4) What is the ratio of your telling them your problems and your asking them about theirs
It was good to review how much we need our friends and how much they need us! I found a study that stated that when women are able to connect with women on various emotional levels it can assist in lowering blood pressure, heart rate and cholesterol. So, what that says to me is that you should go have coffee, dinner, desserts or just water with your friends, explaining that it's all for our health!
So, enjoy your friends and spend time with them!
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
Learning new recipes is always fun!
Tonight, we were blessed to have special speaker, Deanna House. She shared some incredible recipes with us and a few of us were able to take some of the goodies home!
She shared recipes for Cranberry Chicken Salad Sandwiches, Asparagus and Carrots, Sunny Fruit Salad and Rhubarb Lemon Muffins.
Deanna loved our wild group and enjoyed talking about our awesome MSU Women's Spartans who are in the sweet 16. She recommend we top our sandwiches with a mayo "S" if they get to be a bit dry.
She also loved how one of our group misunderstood her story about Martha Steward being incarcerated and thought Deanna was talking about her mother being in prison!
We had a fun evening and lots of laughs. Thank you everyone for coming!
An update on our birthday bags...Marcia Kamphuis will be bringing all 26 bags to Lansing Christian Services for them to distribute, along with 12 ziploc bags with wrap, ribbon, tape, and balloons and 24 ziploc bags with wrap and ribbon and tape. Thank you ladies for all the donations to make these bags possible!
We'll have two weeks of spring break and then we see you on April 15 to hear Pastor Rich talk about "Tending to your friendships".
She shared recipes for Cranberry Chicken Salad Sandwiches, Asparagus and Carrots, Sunny Fruit Salad and Rhubarb Lemon Muffins.
Deanna loved our wild group and enjoyed talking about our awesome MSU Women's Spartans who are in the sweet 16. She recommend we top our sandwiches with a mayo "S" if they get to be a bit dry.
She also loved how one of our group misunderstood her story about Martha Steward being incarcerated and thought Deanna was talking about her mother being in prison!
We had a fun evening and lots of laughs. Thank you everyone for coming!
An update on our birthday bags...Marcia Kamphuis will be bringing all 26 bags to Lansing Christian Services for them to distribute, along with 12 ziploc bags with wrap, ribbon, tape, and balloons and 24 ziploc bags with wrap and ribbon and tape. Thank you ladies for all the donations to make these bags possible!
We'll have two weeks of spring break and then we see you on April 15 to hear Pastor Rich talk about "Tending to your friendships".
Thursday, March 19, 2009
Birthday Bags
First, an update about the awesome aprons we made last week... Here are a few of the guys wearing them! They loved them and they loved picking out which ones to wear. Thanks again for all the hard work you guys do each week to help us enjoy a night off from cooking...we love you!!!
Now, onto the fun of the evening...we made Birthday bags for Lansing Christian Services to give out to people who are in need. Children of parents in need can receive a special present from a church and we made up bags to go along with those presents which will allow them to have a fun birthday. We brainstormed for a few weeks about what would be in the bags...we came up with :
Cake
Frosting
Candles
Streamers
Balloons
Wrapping paper
Ribbon
Tape
Party Favors
A Birthday Card
We prayed over the bags, knowing that God will bless everyone who receives a birthday bag.
Thank you ladies for your generosity and we'll see you next week to hear Deanna House!!!
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
A creative group
Wow...when you give this group creative freedom...they provide!!!
Tonight we were supposed to have a speaker talk to us about growing closer to God, but our speaker cancelled. Instead, we gave away 2 devotional books...not the same but still fun! We also had some special giveaways from The Preppy Princess-always a treat!
Then, we did a special project...APRONS for the men who serve in the kitchen each week. Since there can be a rotation of men, we didn't put specific names but gave them special names...check them out:
We brainstormed ideas of names and then the women picked which one they wanted to work on and these are the results...so creative! I can't wait to see the men's reaction next week when we present it to them. We really do appreciate all the hard work the do to provide us dinner each week! (And we appreciate all the hard work Sally and her helpers do as prep and shoppers! Thank you!)
Here's a few more...
We'll see you next week as we prepare Birthday bags!
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
Tending to your relationship with God
Pastor Rich talked to us tonight about how to begin and maintain a daily quiet time with God.
First, he encouraged us to pick a special time for our quiet time with God...to schedule it. He told us the best time to schedule this time is when you are your best. For some of us, it may be first thing in the morning. For some of us, it may be late in the evening. Whenever it is, be consistent.
Second, he encouraged us to choose a place to have our quiet time. It should be a place where we are comfortable, where we are free from distractions.
Third, he encouraged us to gather the resources we would need for our quiet time with God. We should find a readable bible...some of us may need a large print bible, but we should find a bible that is easy to understand, like the Message. We should take a notebook so we can write down what God is saying to us as well as keeping a prayer list in which you can keep track of answered prayers. We should have a picture of the cross or of Christ. Also, we should have a candle to represent Christ's presence with us, and a song book or CD of praise music.
Fourth, he encouraged us to begin with the right attitude, to approach God with reverence, expectancy and obedience.
He gave an easy plan of how to spend 15 minutes with God:
1 Minute to be still and be quiet
4 minutes reading God's word
4 minutes reflecting on what you've just read
2 minutes to write out a personal application
4 minutes in prayer
Lastly, he encouraged us to share the insights we gain in your quiet time with others.
Make a priority, ladies! Take time to spend time with your Lord and Savior.
Just a quick note about next week. Our speaker cancelled so we have a special project we'll be working on. Join us!
First, he encouraged us to pick a special time for our quiet time with God...to schedule it. He told us the best time to schedule this time is when you are your best. For some of us, it may be first thing in the morning. For some of us, it may be late in the evening. Whenever it is, be consistent.
Second, he encouraged us to choose a place to have our quiet time. It should be a place where we are comfortable, where we are free from distractions.
Third, he encouraged us to gather the resources we would need for our quiet time with God. We should find a readable bible...some of us may need a large print bible, but we should find a bible that is easy to understand, like the Message. We should take a notebook so we can write down what God is saying to us as well as keeping a prayer list in which you can keep track of answered prayers. We should have a picture of the cross or of Christ. Also, we should have a candle to represent Christ's presence with us, and a song book or CD of praise music.
Fourth, he encouraged us to begin with the right attitude, to approach God with reverence, expectancy and obedience.
He gave an easy plan of how to spend 15 minutes with God:
1 Minute to be still and be quiet
4 minutes reading God's word
4 minutes reflecting on what you've just read
2 minutes to write out a personal application
4 minutes in prayer
Lastly, he encouraged us to share the insights we gain in your quiet time with others.
Make a priority, ladies! Take time to spend time with your Lord and Savior.
Just a quick note about next week. Our speaker cancelled so we have a special project we'll be working on. Join us!
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Creativity flows
Tonight was Jewelry making and boy, do we have creative women in this group. First, they had to look at all the beads. And look and look and look. Then, they got some ideas, put them together...
Shared ideas with the other ladies...
shared beads...
took a break to smile!
And here are some of the results of the night...look at how creative these ladies are...
Shared ideas with the other ladies...shared beads...took a break to smile!And here are some of the results of the night...look at how creative these ladies are...
Tessy was so quick she was able to make a necklace, earrings AND a bracelet! And they all turned out beautiful! Great job, Tessy!!!
Michelle made some beautiful earrings!!
Wow, you ladies are amazing! See you next week for another bible study!!
Michelle made some beautiful earrings!!
Wow, you ladies are amazing! See you next week for another bible study!!
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
Tending to your Marriage
Just like a garden needs attention, love, watering and weeding, our marriages need attention, love, nourishment and weeding. Pastor Rich talked to us tonight about strengthening our marriages.
He told us we first needed to be aware of the enemy, the devil, who is always seeking to destroy what we hold dear. He also told us to know the devil's strategy which is using today's society to make us unsatisfied in our marriage. He encouraged us to fight back and enlist help when needed.
He then gave us 20 ways to strengthen our marriage:
1) Start each day with a hug and kiss-decide to start each day with love
2) Wear your wedding ring at all times as a visible reminder of your commitment
3) Go on a date with your spouse every week-dedicate time to be together
4) Accept each other's differences
5)Be Polite-practice good manners
6) Be gentle-harsh words and actions are no place in a home
7) Smile often
8) Touch each other-a hug, a pat on the back, a stroke on the arm
9) Talk about your dreams-talk about things beyond schedules and routines
10) Laugh together-find something to share that will make each other laugh every day
11) Do what your spouse wants before he asks
12) Listen to each other-you don't have to solve each other's problem's-just listen
13) Encourage each other-help them be the best they can be
14) Pray for your spouse daily
15) Hold Hands
16) Apologize-equal in power to "I love you" is "I'm sorry, please forgive me"
17) Ask-What can I do for you
18) Reminisce about your favorite times together
19) Play to Win-Invest everything you can to make it the best marriage it can be
20) End each day with a hug and a kiss
We read through Proverbs 31 which describes a servant hearted wife, as well as Ephesians 5 on how we should respect our husbands.
What a wonderful reminder for us to make our marriage a priority with some great ways on how to do that. Enjoy your spouse today! Give him an extra kiss!
He told us we first needed to be aware of the enemy, the devil, who is always seeking to destroy what we hold dear. He also told us to know the devil's strategy which is using today's society to make us unsatisfied in our marriage. He encouraged us to fight back and enlist help when needed.
He then gave us 20 ways to strengthen our marriage:
1) Start each day with a hug and kiss-decide to start each day with love
2) Wear your wedding ring at all times as a visible reminder of your commitment
3) Go on a date with your spouse every week-dedicate time to be together
4) Accept each other's differences
5)Be Polite-practice good manners
6) Be gentle-harsh words and actions are no place in a home
7) Smile often
8) Touch each other-a hug, a pat on the back, a stroke on the arm
9) Talk about your dreams-talk about things beyond schedules and routines
10) Laugh together-find something to share that will make each other laugh every day
11) Do what your spouse wants before he asks
12) Listen to each other-you don't have to solve each other's problem's-just listen
13) Encourage each other-help them be the best they can be
14) Pray for your spouse daily
15) Hold Hands
16) Apologize-equal in power to "I love you" is "I'm sorry, please forgive me"
17) Ask-What can I do for you
18) Reminisce about your favorite times together
19) Play to Win-Invest everything you can to make it the best marriage it can be
20) End each day with a hug and a kiss
We read through Proverbs 31 which describes a servant hearted wife, as well as Ephesians 5 on how we should respect our husbands.
What a wonderful reminder for us to make our marriage a priority with some great ways on how to do that. Enjoy your spouse today! Give him an extra kiss!
Thursday, February 12, 2009
Laugh your way...to a better marriage
For the past two weeks, we have watched Mark Gungor talk to us about "Laughing your way to a better marriage". We watched part one and part two of his talk on "The tale of two brains". It is so amazing to me that God made man and women so different. How we think, how we process things, how we feel.
Mark gave us some great suggestions on how to understand our husbands and, by asking them more than once, we can get them to help us.
We are excited to have Pastor Rich do our bible study topic next week on "Marriage"!
Mark gave us some great suggestions on how to understand our husbands and, by asking them more than once, we can get them to help us.
We are excited to have Pastor Rich do our bible study topic next week on "Marriage"!
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
Thrift Store Bargains
Making money shopping?? Can such a thing be true?? Our own Michelle Chahine taught us all about shopping at Thrift Stores and how sometimes, shopping at Thrift Stores can actually make you money!
We learned that thrift store shopping can provide incredible savings on new and used designer, name brand and seasonal clothing for the entire family. It offers vast selections of fashion styles and sizes. The proceeds help support humanitarian community programs and efforts.
Consignment shops can provide an opportunity for an individual or family to earn money on items consigned.
We had the opportunity to share the stories of our own treasures we had found and then Michelle shared how her bargain hunting began and how she was able to turn her hobbie of treasure hunting into buying bargains and selling them on either e-bay or bringing them to a consignment shop.
Thank you Michelle for some incredible ideas and tips on how we can save money for our families while having fun "hunting" for treasures!!
We learned that thrift store shopping can provide incredible savings on new and used designer, name brand and seasonal clothing for the entire family. It offers vast selections of fashion styles and sizes. The proceeds help support humanitarian community programs and efforts.
Consignment shops can provide an opportunity for an individual or family to earn money on items consigned.
We had the opportunity to share the stories of our own treasures we had found and then Michelle shared how her bargain hunting began and how she was able to turn her hobbie of treasure hunting into buying bargains and selling them on either e-bay or bringing them to a consignment shop.
Thank you Michelle for some incredible ideas and tips on how we can save money for our families while having fun "hunting" for treasures!!
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
Teaching Nature to your Children
Tonight we were blessed to have Jenny Vandlen as our speaker. She talked to us about teaching our children about nature. She told us it's important to bring our children outside to get them away from tv, internet and video games and into God's beautiful nature. While we are out with them, it's an incredible time to talk to your children about Creation and dissolve some myths about creation vs. evolution.
She encouraged us to get excited about spending time outdoors with our children, learning together about the trees, animals and wildflowers. She gave us some fun ideas for hikes we can do with our children like an ABC Hike where we find objects that start with the letters of the alphabet, or an Onion Hike where you rub an onion along a trail and the child has to find the way using their nose!
She gave us several ideas for fun outdoor activities to do with our children like making a plaster mold of an animal track or playing a game of symphony where everyone is quiet and they need to count how many sounds they hear.
She even gave us activities to do on COLD days!! My favorite being "Freeze a Bubble"--when the weather is below 32 degrees, blow a bubble and catch it with your wand. Wait and watch as it freezes. It will turn into a crystal ball and then shatter like glass.
What a great reminder for us to take time with our children outdoors and explore the glorious world God gave us.
O Lord my God, When I in awesome wonder,Consider all the worlds Thy Hands have made;I see the stars, I hear the rolling thunder,Thy power throughout the universe displayed.
Then sings my soul, My Saviour God, to Thee,How great Thou art, How great Thou art.Then sings my soul, My Saviour God, to Thee,How great Thou art, How great Thou art!
When through the woods, and forest glades I wander,And hear the birds sing sweetly in the trees.When I look down, from lofty mountain grandeurAnd see the brook, and feel the gentle breeze.
Then sings my soul, My Saviour God, to Thee,How great Thou art, How great Thou art.Then sings my soul, My Saviour God, to Thee,How great Thou art, How great Thou art
She encouraged us to get excited about spending time outdoors with our children, learning together about the trees, animals and wildflowers. She gave us some fun ideas for hikes we can do with our children like an ABC Hike where we find objects that start with the letters of the alphabet, or an Onion Hike where you rub an onion along a trail and the child has to find the way using their nose!
She gave us several ideas for fun outdoor activities to do with our children like making a plaster mold of an animal track or playing a game of symphony where everyone is quiet and they need to count how many sounds they hear.
She even gave us activities to do on COLD days!! My favorite being "Freeze a Bubble"--when the weather is below 32 degrees, blow a bubble and catch it with your wand. Wait and watch as it freezes. It will turn into a crystal ball and then shatter like glass.
What a great reminder for us to take time with our children outdoors and explore the glorious world God gave us.
O Lord my God, When I in awesome wonder,Consider all the worlds Thy Hands have made;I see the stars, I hear the rolling thunder,Thy power throughout the universe displayed.
Then sings my soul, My Saviour God, to Thee,How great Thou art, How great Thou art.Then sings my soul, My Saviour God, to Thee,How great Thou art, How great Thou art!
When through the woods, and forest glades I wander,And hear the birds sing sweetly in the trees.When I look down, from lofty mountain grandeurAnd see the brook, and feel the gentle breeze.
Then sings my soul, My Saviour God, to Thee,How great Thou art, How great Thou art.Then sings my soul, My Saviour God, to Thee,How great Thou art, How great Thou art
Thursday, January 15, 2009
Cooking Mama's
We got a new Wii game at our house called Cooking Mama and that's exactly what we did last night at Club Mom and Girlfriends! Except we used real food and we made them to freeze and give them to the families that are going through the Quality Living budgeting class at our church.
Even though it was a light crowd-most likely due to the extreme cold and horrible road conditions-we were able to put together 38 Pizza Burgers, 48 Chicken Chimichangas, and 4 pans of Peanut Butter Chocolate bars.
Our 7 families that are involved with Quality Living will be enjoying these meals over the next few weeks. They receive a few boxes of food each week from our Food Bank and these will be an addition to those boxes. A little love of a meal ready to go from our Club Mom and Girlfriends group.
Thank you ladies for all
your work!
Even though it was a light crowd-most likely due to the extreme cold and horrible road conditions-we were able to put together 38 Pizza Burgers, 48 Chicken Chimichangas, and 4 pans of Peanut Butter Chocolate bars.
Our 7 families that are involved with Quality Living will be enjoying these meals over the next few weeks. They receive a few boxes of food each week from our Food Bank and these will be an addition to those boxes. A little love of a meal ready to go from our Club Mom and Girlfriends group.
Thank you ladies for all
your work!Thursday, January 8, 2009
Tending to your Children
We started the year off with a reminder to play...with our children.
Pastor Rich started our Bible Study tonight talking about Tending to our children. He reminded us that we are not the only "gardener" in our children's life. They are influenced by other adults, peers, media and more.
He encouraged us provide a solid community to surround our children. In that community, we should put marriage first and continue to build up the relationship between husband and wife so our children have a sense of stablity in the home. He also reminded us that our children watch our every move so only do things we want them to copy!
He encouraged us to spend time with each child individually, laugh and play with them, encourage proper interactions with other siblings and be an example of hospitality to others.
He told us that healthy parenting requires healthy parents so we should take time for yourself, let yourself de-stress, give yourself permission to ask for help and to be aware of what our stressers are and get strength from kindness to others.
He gave us three ways to set an example for your children:
1) Tkae time to play with them
2) Be kind to others
3) Keep a positive outlook
We spent time together reading what advice the bible gives parents, and then got through a few questions in a brainstorming session on how to handle parenting issues.
Thank you, Pastor Rich, for some great things to think about as we become more intentional about being better parents.
Join us next week as we make freezer meals for our Quality Living families. Bring an apron and a smile!
Pastor Rich started our Bible Study tonight talking about Tending to our children. He reminded us that we are not the only "gardener" in our children's life. They are influenced by other adults, peers, media and more.
He encouraged us provide a solid community to surround our children. In that community, we should put marriage first and continue to build up the relationship between husband and wife so our children have a sense of stablity in the home. He also reminded us that our children watch our every move so only do things we want them to copy!
He encouraged us to spend time with each child individually, laugh and play with them, encourage proper interactions with other siblings and be an example of hospitality to others.
He told us that healthy parenting requires healthy parents so we should take time for yourself, let yourself de-stress, give yourself permission to ask for help and to be aware of what our stressers are and get strength from kindness to others.
He gave us three ways to set an example for your children:
1) Tkae time to play with them
2) Be kind to others
3) Keep a positive outlook
We spent time together reading what advice the bible gives parents, and then got through a few questions in a brainstorming session on how to handle parenting issues.
Thank you, Pastor Rich, for some great things to think about as we become more intentional about being better parents.
Join us next week as we make freezer meals for our Quality Living families. Bring an apron and a smile!
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