Well...this is our final blog post for this summer's virtual Bible Study on A Wife After God's Own Heart by Elizabeth George. I have loved the opportunity of studying God's Word with all of you this summer. And even though many of you have not had the time to comment on the posts, I have enjoyed knowing that there are so many ladies out there reading this book along with me.
For me, I desperately needed a refresher course in how to truly be a wife after God's heart. Years ago, I read our virtual Bible study book for the first time and was set on fire to serve God through serving my husband and family. But as the years went by, my ability to serve my husband, while having the right heart, had become pretty rusty. Through this study, Elizabeth George equipped me (for the second time) with the tools needed to set my priorities in order and make serving my husband (with a joyful heart) my number 1 ministry! So let' s now discuss the wisdom that we found in Chapters 11 and 12.
In Chapters 11 and 12, Elizabeth disscusses serving the Lord and reaching out to others. These two concepts go hand-in-hand, and on page 208, Elizabeth reminds us of God's order in "reaching out...carefully." This order of "Principles for a Wife's Ministry" goes as follows (p.208):
1. Serve those at home first.
2. Serve with your husband's blessing and support.
3. Serve however you can.
In life, we have the opportunity to "serve ourselves silly" if given the chance. Meaning, we can serve other people within and outside of the church to the detrement of our families and ourselves. It is important for us to remember to pray first about any service opportunity before commiting ourselves to take on more than God expects us to handle (yes...I am a work in progress on this one!) He wants us to do the tasks that He has equipped us to do WELL and with EXCELLENCE, so He definitely doesn't expect us to take on everything that comes our way! Remember, as Elizabeth says, "Say yes to the best and no to the rest!" If we have prayed over a ministry need, our loved one's at home are taken care of with excellence, and our husband gives us his blessing, then we are free to go ahead and set forth on what God is calling us to do!
For our blog comment post this week...
Please share what this Bible study has meant to you! How has your life been changed by the principles learned? How has your relationship with your husband been blesssed?
Lots of love,
Macki
Thursday, August 19, 2010
Saturday, July 31, 2010
Week 9 and 10
Hello Ladies,
For those who have been checking the blog waiting for an update, I have to apologize! I have discovered that Satan has been attacking many in this Bible study through technological glitches and computer crashes. I joined the bandwagon a few weeks ago when my computer crashed, which has kept me from blogging like I expected. Then, I traveled to Florida to see Jeff's family. While I was there, my mother-in-law was unable to utilize her Internet, and therefore, I was unable to catch up on blog updates like I had planned. Hence, Satan is manipulating our technology, attempting to keep us from the blessings awaiting us in the completion this virtual Bible study. Hopefully, we are back in working order now, and my prayer for us is to finish this study well!!
Due to the computer glitches over the past weeks, we are going to cover weeks 9 and 10 in this post. I do realize that this is going to place us a few weeks behind schedule; however, I believe that it is more important to finish this study well instead of rushing the final chapters and possibly missing the many blessings that God has awaiting us.
Chapter 9: Tending to Your Career
The topic this week was extremely blunt! The message was pretty much that no matter what, our husbands and family should be our first fruit of ministry...regardless!
Over the past year, our little family has gone through a variety of career changes and responsibilities. For me, I have gone from quitting my job with the Health Department to stay at home with my daughter. Then...to buying a business with my husband. Also, after much prayer and support from Jeff, I just took a part-time job as the nursery minister at our church. I feel like I have done a little bit of everything in a short period of time, which has left my head spinning!
This chapter was an important reminder that our number 1 ministry as wives and mothers is to our families. The other callings that He has entrusted us, ladies, to fulfill are important and a part of His plan; however, He never intends for our careers or outside ministries to take away from our first priority...tending to our families with excellence. We can't just assume that our families will be "o.k." and life will "just work out". We must pray for godly wisdom to guide us in the ways to best minister to our husbands and children so that we can help keep their love tanks full.
Week 10: Making Time for fun
WHOE!!! What a reminder this was! So many times lately I have wondered what happened to the fun things that my husband and I used to do together. Jeff and I love the outdoors and used to do fun things together all of the time. We went on four-wheeler rides, boating trips, hikes, horseback rides, and the list goes on! Then, like Elizabeth said, we had "to 'grow up,' to mature, to put away childish things" (George 163). It seemed that so many responsibilities complied on us suddenly, and we were required by circumstance to shift gears quickly. We began to realize that the decisions that we were making would affect many more people than besides ourselves.
Elizabeth is right that "it's a fact, that the older we get the more serious life becomes" (George 163). But even though life may become serious and somber at times, we can't let this consume our joy and corrupt our ability to have fun. I really liked the challenge for wives to be the "fun planners" at home.
For our blog posts this week, choose one of the two options to discuss...
1) In Chapter 9, what challenged you the most as a wife and mom.
2) From Chapter 10, plan 1 fun activity for your family that is out of the ordinary. Discuss what you plan to do, or either, discuss what you did and how your family reacted.
Have a great week! Lots of love...
Macki
For those who have been checking the blog waiting for an update, I have to apologize! I have discovered that Satan has been attacking many in this Bible study through technological glitches and computer crashes. I joined the bandwagon a few weeks ago when my computer crashed, which has kept me from blogging like I expected. Then, I traveled to Florida to see Jeff's family. While I was there, my mother-in-law was unable to utilize her Internet, and therefore, I was unable to catch up on blog updates like I had planned. Hence, Satan is manipulating our technology, attempting to keep us from the blessings awaiting us in the completion this virtual Bible study. Hopefully, we are back in working order now, and my prayer for us is to finish this study well!!
Due to the computer glitches over the past weeks, we are going to cover weeks 9 and 10 in this post. I do realize that this is going to place us a few weeks behind schedule; however, I believe that it is more important to finish this study well instead of rushing the final chapters and possibly missing the many blessings that God has awaiting us.
Chapter 9: Tending to Your Career
The topic this week was extremely blunt! The message was pretty much that no matter what, our husbands and family should be our first fruit of ministry...regardless!
Over the past year, our little family has gone through a variety of career changes and responsibilities. For me, I have gone from quitting my job with the Health Department to stay at home with my daughter. Then...to buying a business with my husband. Also, after much prayer and support from Jeff, I just took a part-time job as the nursery minister at our church. I feel like I have done a little bit of everything in a short period of time, which has left my head spinning!
This chapter was an important reminder that our number 1 ministry as wives and mothers is to our families. The other callings that He has entrusted us, ladies, to fulfill are important and a part of His plan; however, He never intends for our careers or outside ministries to take away from our first priority...tending to our families with excellence. We can't just assume that our families will be "o.k." and life will "just work out". We must pray for godly wisdom to guide us in the ways to best minister to our husbands and children so that we can help keep their love tanks full.
Week 10: Making Time for fun
WHOE!!! What a reminder this was! So many times lately I have wondered what happened to the fun things that my husband and I used to do together. Jeff and I love the outdoors and used to do fun things together all of the time. We went on four-wheeler rides, boating trips, hikes, horseback rides, and the list goes on! Then, like Elizabeth said, we had "to 'grow up,' to mature, to put away childish things" (George 163). It seemed that so many responsibilities complied on us suddenly, and we were required by circumstance to shift gears quickly. We began to realize that the decisions that we were making would affect many more people than besides ourselves.
Elizabeth is right that "it's a fact, that the older we get the more serious life becomes" (George 163). But even though life may become serious and somber at times, we can't let this consume our joy and corrupt our ability to have fun. I really liked the challenge for wives to be the "fun planners" at home.
For our blog posts this week, choose one of the two options to discuss...
1) In Chapter 9, what challenged you the most as a wife and mom.
2) From Chapter 10, plan 1 fun activity for your family that is out of the ordinary. Discuss what you plan to do, or either, discuss what you did and how your family reacted.
Have a great week! Lots of love...
Macki
Friday, July 9, 2010
Week 8: Extending Love to Family
Hello Friends...
I know many of you have been checking the blog and nothing has been posted for the week! I have to say...I simply forgot! I don't know what happened...my mind has been in a thousand places this past week...and apparently it missed the "I need to write on the blog" stop! So sorry! I will do my best to redeem my scatter-brainness (yes, I know that this is not a word...but it works here!) So let's now get to business...
Our week's chapter title is Extending Love to Family. I am sure that it is pretty safe to say that many of you are like I am in that you love your family tremendously; however, there are moments where loving and being kind are not the easiest processes. A few years back I was taking a Bible study course that taught me a tool to use during trying times. This tool is praying actual scripture over a specific situation. When we pray scripture over a specific person or situation, it takes the bondage that we feel from not being able to control whatever is happening and places the power of that situation into the actual words that God, Himself, spoke. What could repel Satan more than placing power over our hardships into the most powerful physical tool that our world has access to today...God's Word! In this week's chapter, Elizabeth provides us with several powerful scriptures that we can use to pray over the difficulties that we often face in our families. It is important for us to have these scripture on hand (and in our hearts) so that when the need comes, the authority of God's own words can be quickly and powerfully over our loved one's difficult circumstance.
For our blog writing assignment for the week, we are going to be to brag about one member of our extended family. Let's make a practice of building those we love up with our speech, instead of tearing them down. Also, privately, without writing about it on the blog, choose one scripture from Chapter 8 to memorize and pray over a specific situation that you may be going though with a precious family member.
Monday, June 28, 2010
Week 7: Raising Your Children
This chapter, Raising Your Children, has been one of the most near and dear to my heart of this entire book. For a moment this week we take a small focus away from our marriages and focus in on the fruit of our marriages...our children. At the very beginning of this chapter, Elizabeth discusses the verse Deuteronomy 6:6-7. It says, "And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children."
In mediating this week over this verse, I realized that these words should not be taken lightly. In fact, teaching our children diligently is a commandment from God that He, Himself, said "shall be in our heart[s]." This verse indicates that training our children in the ways of the Christian faith is not a mere afterthought that we have at the end of a hard day. It is not something that we hope to do better at implementing...one day. It is not something that we think our children will just "get" because we take them to church and Bible School. Deut. 6:6-7 affirms from God that teaching our children about Him should be as constant as our hearts' beating. It means constantly and diligently teaching our little (and not so little) ones about His character. It means teaching them what the Bible has to say about living the life that Christ has called us into...a life of servitude! It means equipping our children with the spiritual armor necessary for this life of servitude so that they may face with strength and wisdom this culture of selfishness that surrounds us.
As parents, the knowledge of God must be so ingrained in our hearts so that the intentional teaching of His Character to our children can be wisely carried out! A few weeks ago, Bro. Scott preached a sermon about a child needing 10,000 hours of training in order for him/her to become an expert in the life of Christianity. He cited research documenting the training that professional athletes, musicians, scholars, etc. go though so that they are able to become experts their areas of concentration. At the minimum, these professionals trained for least 10,000 hours. Bro. Scott then compared this research to raising our children as Christians, asking us, as parents, if our children will be experts in the teachings of Christianity when they leave our homes! Pretty scary, isn't it...especially when most children in this society have hour upon hour of ungodly media influence penetrating into their little hearts!
So how as parents are we going to get these 10,000 hours of Biblical training into our children's lives?
One more thing before I close. The 10,000 hours of Biblical instruction are extremely important and should not be taken lightly; however, if we only train our children with facts and stories about the Bible without their seeing a real, daily relationship that we, as parents, have with our Heavenly Father, it will lead them to confusion and questioning. We want to help them create a faith and understanding that is like concrete in their hearts! We want to be able to show them the fruit of God blessings through the daily living of our lives. Bible stories, understanding the Trinity, and the road to salvation are all vital in our heartbeats as Christians, but knowledge without a relationship with Jesus is in vein. So let's, as Christian parents, build as many of these 10,000 hours sharing with our children about our own personal faith! Let our daily lives be the breathing testimony that our little ones see, showing them why Jesus is the most precious relationship they can ever possibly have!
For this week's blog assignment...what intentional things can we implement in our homes that will help our children get the 10,000 hours needed to become experts in Christianity?
Friday, June 25, 2010
Week 6: Taking Care of Your Home
Sorry that I am so late getting this post out. Jeff and I decided last minute to go to Gulf Shores, so I was busy packing to leave...and once we got down here, I have been on my computer as little as possible.
So this week's chapter...taking care of your home was good to read but difficult at the same time! It seems that right now in our home, everything that I take care of and put back in order instantly gets taken out and placed into chaos. I wanted Elizabeth to give me some advice for what to do when a one-year-old is following behind me undoing everything...plus some!!! Hence, I still do my best to keep a clean house, despite how difficult it is at most times. Also, I have had to learn that patience and love is more important at times than everything being in perfect order. Right now, the condo is in disarray...Tiny Mack has pulled everything out of 3 trash cans and distributed it randomly throughout each room...dirty diapers have been her favorites on this trip! What does the Bible say about this? I'm serious about that...I need help!!! For this perfectionist, having a little one follow behind me and make my home less than perfect has been a SIGNIFICANT challenge. I would say this is one of the most stressful points of my day is trying to clean, and it immediately becoming UNCLEAN!!! So through the constant cleaning, God is sifting me of so much! Everything is a sifting process if we allow it to be, even cleaning a house!
So what are your thoughts on this week's chapter? What are your best suggestions for taking care of your home and creating a Godly as well as peaceful atmosphere for your family?
Love y'all,
Macki
Monday, June 14, 2010
Week 5: Managing Your Money
Money Management...I feel that over the past year with the recession hitting all of us hard, it has required us to take a closer look as to where our money is going. This chapter is a fresh reminder that even though we may earn our money through what jobs we have, it is not our's to have and use as we want. God has a very strict plan on what we should do with our money to use it to His glory!
There were three points that I highlighted this week that I thought would be good blog discussing points...here they are:
1) "90 percent of all marital arguments can be traced back to the issue of money." (George, 77)
~ Because money is the number 1 source of arguments in marriage, as wives, we must be on guard of how Satan will use finances to come between us and our husbands. Satan will use anything thing that he can to unbind a union that was bound by God Himself! Be mindful that Satan is wanting us to fail in our marriages (and look at statistics...he is having much success)! He will use money as a way to create distance...only, though, if we give him the power to do so!
2) "As our Lord Jesus taught, instead of laying up 'treasures on earth,' you are to 'lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven...for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also' (Matthew 6:19-21)". (George, 80)
~ How are we using our money? Are we using it as a source to gain more "stuff" for our comfort and luxury here on earth? Matthew 6 says that we should be building our treasures for heaven! How many mornings do we really wake up and ask, "How am I going to build a treasure for Heaven today?"
3) "Doing without - because a host of spiritual disciplines are birthed and enhanced as you do so." (George, 83)
~ Do we feel like we are entitled to have the things we have? I know that I struggled with this for many years. What I have learned through a number of circumstances that God has allowed me to walk through is that I am entitled to nothing! It is by His grace that He freely and mercifully gives!! I know that I have joked with many of you about not having a dishwasher and having a peewee hot water tank (this is what I call our hot water heater because it is about half the size a normal one), but the truth is that God has blessed me abundantly by requiring me to do without for the time being! When I would fuss and complain to Him about having to wash all of my dishes by hand, He would answer my heart "at least you have dirty dishes, Macki. That means that you had food to eat off of them!" When I would fuss about not being able to soak in a hot tub because my hot water ran out before it was a quarter full, God would answer my heart, "Macki at least you have hot water...some hot water is better than none!" As Americans living in such a prosperity, we get focused on all of the wrong things. I still have a long way to go with this one, but at least I am farther than I used to be! I can now have a heart that is grateful for dirty dishes...at least that is a start!!!
For our comments this week, chose 1 of the three points above to discuss! I can't wait to hear what you have to say!
Love y'all,
Macki
Wednesday, June 9, 2010
Chapter 4: Enjoying Intimacy
Ok...um...well...we aren't gonna blog about our chapter this week! So...just read it...and we will get back to blogging next week. I just think this chapter would be...um....way....way...way...TMI (too much information) to comment about!!! If you really want to blog, go back to last week's blog...we only had 1 response...let's use this week to play catch-up for last week!
:), Macki
Wednesday, June 2, 2010
Chapter 3: Learning to Communicate
Sorry about not posting yesterday like I had promised! I couldn't find a spare second to write...and today's is gonna be super short as well cause my man is off work! I want to actually put into practice this info that we are reading about!
So...communication! I think we can all relate to how hard it is wearing so many different hats all the time...and how mentally draining it can be as well. At the end of the day, I am exhausted, have limited brain capacity to create an intelligible sentence, and need to eat! According to biology, it goes against all things "natural" to be able to have the kindness in communication that we need to maintain healthy relationships with our husbands at the end of any day! But thank God that He is in the "SUPERnatural" business, and He will give us that supernatural wisdom and grace if we just ask. We just must personally commit to practicing this gift of sweet speech, and He will grow it within us.
This weeks blog assignment is to pray seriously about implementing this form of positive communication with your husband. "Say what you mean...but say it sweetly!" I am anxious to hear your comments on this chapter...comment about the concepts that were both challenging but also convicting in Chapter 3.
Monday, May 31, 2010
Monday, May 24, 2010
Chapter 2: Working As A Team
Before we get started discussing Chapter 2...I just want to let you know how blessed I was reading your comments on Chapter 1. Let's face it...it is just tough as wives and mamas to find a free minute to breathe alone (or go potty...lol...y'all know what I mean!), much less sit quiet for a few minutes to focus on Bible study and prayer! I feel it as much as you do! Our only option is to create a new holy habit of finding still moments with God (notice I didn't necessary say alone...with kids that is pretty near impossible!) As for those of us who are mamas of itty bitties, we must just resolve to spending time with Him...even if our itty bitties are there running around in the background or sleeping in our arms! Let's be creative on how to do this together...remember we are not alone in our challenges on how to achieve this goal (If you would like, please feel free to share through the "comments" how you have found time to be with God this past week. We can help each other by putting our heads together and sharing effective ways to create quiet time with God despite our hectic circumstances!)
Alright...now Chapter 2: Working as a Team. I don't know about you, but WOE...this chapter was very convicting! I felt as if God were saying..."LISTEN UP!" I have to confess that this past year has been full of its constant challenges...not only as my new role as a mama but also as learning to be both mama..and wife. I can remember praying, terrified, right after we brought Mackinzie home from the hospital..."God, I don't know how to do both!" (meaning both being Mackinzie's mama while at the same time being Jeff's wife)!
The concept that hit me the hardest was on page 31 of our book. It discusses how some wives become "husband-watchers." Husband watchers...
"know how their husbands are supposed to treat them. And instead of taking care of their own faithfulness to their God-given assignment as wives, they take on the appointed role of playing 'Holy Spirit' in their husbands' lives pointing out their faults and shortcomings. These wives may even assume a 'when...then' attitude. In their hearts (and maybe even verbally), they say, 'When he does this or that, then I'll do this or that. They postpone obedience to their roles as wives and make it conditional to that of their husbands'." (George, 31)
When Elizabeth referred to wives "playing" the Holy Spirit for their husband...it resonated deep! How quickly I have been to point out my husband's inadequacies during hectic moments throughout the day without thinking wisely of the damaging effects that it has caused the peace and order in our family...not to mention his self-confidence in being the leader. It's not my job to be the Holy Spirit, and in thinking in some way that I could live up to this incomprehensible task, I have devastatingly limited God's power and influence that He alone can completely have over our home...if I just let Him!
This week's discussion question is more of a challenge! I want to encourage you to implement one of challenges listed in the "Little Things that Make a Difference" section on pages 40-42. Then, once you have carried out one of these challenges, comment on what happened, and how God used it! Good Luck...and have fun with this challenge!
Monday, May 17, 2010
Chapter 1: Growing in the Lord
Good morning! Today we begin Chapter 1 in A Wife After God's Own Heart by Elizabeth George. Before I get started with our Chapter 1 discussion, I did want to let you know that there are two more books that go along with this study. The first is a growth and study guide for A Wife After God's Own Heart, and the second is A Husband After God's Own Heart by Elizabeth's husband, Jim. I wanted to inform you that these books are available if you wanted to further the intensity of this study by engaging in question/answers on each chapter or possibly doing this study with your husband.
Ok...so Chapter 1: Growing in the Lord! Reading this chapter was a fresh reminder on the priority that we need to place on growing in our knowledge of God...IT NEEDS TO BE #1!!! We think that we can just do it later...and that later never happens. We remain babies in our knowledge wanting only milk when we should be teachers eating meat and potatoes.
I will be the first to admit the struggle that it is to find time alone with God...reading my Bible, journaling, and praying. Before I got married, I really didn't have that daily time with God. I loved Him, was saved, but I had remained a baby spiritually because I didn't prioritize gaining knowledge from God's Word that would equip me with the sword and shield that I would need to face daily battles (especially those that go along with marriage!) It was when I read this book for the first time right after I married that I realized that I needed to get my act together spiritually. I realized that if my marriage was going to work at all, I was going to have lean each second on God's Word (and I had no idea what it really said!!!) So...I bought a Bible that I could understand (still LOVE the Message version), made a spot for my Bible study materials, forced myself to get out of bed early, and then God took over. For four years, He took me on the wildest thrill of my life through studying His Word with Him. An obsession took over, and I could not get enough! If something didn't make sense, I dug and dug until it did. I could get lost for hours in God's Word and not even realize how long I had been there! THEN...I had a baby!!! And the sleepless nights turned into sleepless days, and for the first 10 months of my sweet baby's life, I lived in the Twilight Zone...not knowing the day, time, and at some moments, my name!!! As far as my time with God, it was a daily struggle. Most days it did not happen because of mental exhaustion, and I MISSED Him madly!!! You see, I had experienced Him and the thrill of the adventrue that He took me on...then all of a sudden I did not have a moment to think of anything besides nursing, diaper changes, and sleep schedules! Satan used these "should be" daily blessings of serving my family to distract me from my main focus...my relationship with God!!! My focus was distracted, and I was unable to experience the joy of my family because I was burdened by so many other things. Please hear my heart...God is not telling us to stop doing good things for our families!!! In fact, He takes much pleasure in seeing us take care of our sweet husbands and children, but as women, we cannot do these things completely, wholly, joyfully, and healthily unless we are seeking Him first.
I wanted to share these things with you because I hear your hearts and your struggles...because I have them myself. This journey that we are on as women is full of up and downs, twists and turns, and we feel overwhelmed if we have to add one more thing into our schedule. But as Elizabeth says, "God's Word works!!" If we find the time to invest in studying God's Word, the blessings will pour heavily down on us...and our families!!! The healthier we are as wives and mamas spiritually, the healthier your family will be as well. That is the wonderful overflow of God's Word, it will effect so many other people besides ourselves in positive ways that our minds cannot begin to comprehend. All that God asks from us is to be obedient, equipping ourselves with knowledge of Him through the study of His Word and prayer...then He takes over and begins the transformation process of our hearts!
For our weekly blog assignment...
1. I encourage you to read and do the Little Things that Make a Difference section at the end of Chapter 1. Several of the steps you can already check off just because you have committed to this Bible study! Step 6...please do not ignore! You may want to begin a personal prayer journal and write this commitment in it...there will be much growth that can come from keeping your thoughts and prayers to God in one location.
2. Choose only 1 of the following questions to comment on the blog about...
* What meant the most to you as a married woman from Chapter 1?
* What offered you the greatest challenge as a wife?
* What information was new or served as a fresh reminder for you as you seek to follow after God's own heart in your marriage?
Monday, May 10, 2010
Kick-Off To Our Virtual Bible Study and Roll Call!!!
SO...it's finally here...our first ever completely virtual Bible Study! As excited as I am about this new form of Bible Study added to our Crosspoint women's ministry...I am even more excited about the content that we are studying...our role as a wife! And it is not just a wife! It is about how we can strive each day to bless our marriage by being a wife after God's heart! In order for some of the topics that we will study about to actually work and transform our marriages, we are going to have to be real, open, and transparent with ourselves in order to address the things inside of us that need to be changed as well as allow God to refine our hearts and minds during the transformation process! Sisters, I am so excited to go through this process with you...heavens knows that I can use some refining and transforming in the wife/mother department...and I am sure that I will learn a wealth of knowledge from all of you also!!! I KNOW that God has some blessings coming our way!
This is how our Bible study will work...
Everyone should have a copy of the book A Wife After God's Own Heart by Elizabeth George. Each week, we will read one chapter. During any point in the course of the week, you need to go to this blog, read our weekly post and principle questions, and then post a comment to our discussion question(s). On each Monday of the week, the weekly blog post and discussion questions will be posted in correspondence to the chapter that we will be reading for the week. You will have from Monday to Sunday to get on the blog and leave your comments...I feel that this will give everyone plenty of time to read the chapter each week. There are 12 chapters, so we will have 12 weeks of Bible Study and blogging.
Chapter 1 (Growing in the Lord)- Week of May 16th
Chapter 2 (Working as a Team)- Week of May 23rd
Chapter 3 (Learning to Communicate)- Week of May 29th
Chapter 4 (Enjoying Intimacy)- Week of June 5th
Chapter 5 (Managing Your Money)- Week of June 12th
Chapter 6 (Keeping Up the Home)- Week of June 19th
Chapter 7 (Raising Your Children)- Week of June 26th
Chapter 8 (Extending Love to Family)- Week of July 3rd
Chapter 9 (Tending Your Career)- Week of July 10th
Chapter 10 (Making Time for Fun)- Week of July 17th
Chapter 11 (Serving the Lord)- Week of July 24th
Chapter 12 (Reaching Out to Others)- Week of July 31st
We will be finished on Sunday, August 7th!
To publish a comment, this is how it works....
At the bottom of of the post, you will see "posted by Macki Smith" and beside it is shows the number of comments. Click on the word "comments", and you will be directed to a screen where you will be able to read others' comments, as well as write your own. At the top right of the comment screen, there is a blank box that says "Leave Your Comment" above it. This box is where you will type your comment. In order for the comment to be published to the blog, you will need to include the word verification that will be provided for you to copy into a text box. You will also have to include an identity so that your comment can be labeled that it is from you. There are several options to choose and identity...I recommend going ahead and setting up a google account. There is a icon where you can click to do this, and it will walk you through the process to set up your google account. If you already have a google account or gmail, your name and address for either of these will work for blogger. I know that this sounds like a lot...but I promise that it is super easy! Do it once, and you have it figured out! Just click on the comments, and try to walk through it! (If this is as clear as mud...just e-mail me or give me a call!!! I promise that I don't mind!)
So...to practice leaving a comment...let's do a ROLL CALL!!! Leave your name as a comment so that we can see everyone who is participating in this Bible Study journey with us!!! Also, leave a brief sentence about what you are most looking forward to with beginning this new Bible study...A Wife After God's Own Heart.
Sunday, March 28, 2010
Week 8 Discussion Question
Good Morning Ladies!! Let me try this for the second time! I was so proud of myself on Thursday morning that I had woken up early and written this entire post. Then I went to publish it, and I deleted the entire stinkin' thing! So...I am just now getting the chance to try writing it again!
So sorry we missed last weeks' blog question. I was on the road traveling with my mom and grandma, and I figured that all of you were busy doing spring break things as well! Monday morning ladies, it was great to catch up with all of you after being apart for a couple of weeks! Tuesday night ladies, I hated that I didn't get to see you!! As Sara probably explained, I had been in court all day with a precious family that I used to work with. And this next week, I am going to be on the road yet again going to see Jeff's family in South Florida. His mom and dad just come home permanently from Uganda, and we are going to see them!!! Please remember us in your prayers while we are traveling. I can't wait to see everyone again next week!
Ok...so here is our blog question for this week!
"Have you ever had an ugly cry in public? If so, please share!"
I can't wait to read everyone's responses!
Love ya,
Macki
So sorry we missed last weeks' blog question. I was on the road traveling with my mom and grandma, and I figured that all of you were busy doing spring break things as well! Monday morning ladies, it was great to catch up with all of you after being apart for a couple of weeks! Tuesday night ladies, I hated that I didn't get to see you!! As Sara probably explained, I had been in court all day with a precious family that I used to work with. And this next week, I am going to be on the road yet again going to see Jeff's family in South Florida. His mom and dad just come home permanently from Uganda, and we are going to see them!!! Please remember us in your prayers while we are traveling. I can't wait to see everyone again next week!
Ok...so here is our blog question for this week!
"Have you ever had an ugly cry in public? If so, please share!"
I can't wait to read everyone's responses!
Love ya,
Macki
The Journey
I wrote this a while back and just found it while looking through old blog drafts. God has pressed it on my heart to share it with you! Love ya...Macki
The Journey
Wow!!! What a ride I have been on over the course of the past weeks. It is times as these when I have to lean not on my own understanding, but stand firm on those scriptures that God has pressed upon my heart. I have to believe that though the things around me are confusing and uncertain, if I keep my two feet standing on Christ Jesus, God's plan will prevail. My eyes have to keep looking upward, seeking for the answers that He has called for my life.
After a year-long strenuous sifting on my spirit, God has blessed me abundantly over the past few weeks by allowing an explosion of my faith to just overflow from every fiber of my body. There is a fire burning inside and a joy that has been re-lit in my heart after a year of a serious spiritual drought. Over the course of this past year, I have been doing all of the "right" things to seek God; however, He has remained hidden from me. I have mentally known that He is there, but I have not been able to emotionally "FEEL" that He was near me. There have been times over this past year where I was flat on my face sobbing and crying out for the Lord...wanting so desperately for Him to "comfort" my grief with that spiritual sensation that only He brings. But for some reason, that sensation did not come. I kept crying out..."Where are you God...where are You?" Looking back, I know that He was near me...very near; however, I do believe that God was allowing me to be tested...asking me..."Macki, what are you going to stand on...feelings or the things that I have promised you? Are your going to fight for Me...or allow your feelings to consume you?" You see, I had to come to the realization that despite being able to "feel" Him in the midst of my uncertain circumstances, I was going to stand on His many promises that He was still with me. I was going to stand on the promise that "He would never leave me or forsake me" (Deuteronomy 31:8). I was going to stand on the promise that "though I sowed seeds with tears, I would come back with shouts of joy" (Psalm 136:1-6). I was going to stand on the promise that "the testing on my faith would produce endurance "(James 1:3). I was going to stand on the promise that "if I do not lose heart in doing good, I would reap if I did not grow weary" (Galatians 6:9). I was going to stand on the promise that "if I raise my eyes towards Him, my help would come"(Psalm 121:1-2)!
And, WOW, how ABUNDANTLY my has Help come!!! He has moved like a mighty wave over every area of my life... nourishing it with His healing waters. There are just those times where I want to shout from the mountains...and this is one of them!! God is near!!! He has a plan!!! And this is what I have to remind myself of today. God has a plan...His perfect plan! If this year has taught me anything, it is to seek. Seek Him!! If we SEEK Him, and we shall FIND Him. If confusion and lack of understanding have boggled your mind and your clarity this week as they have done mine, go back to the basics. Pray scripture over your lack of understanding. Pray them over and over. Carry them in the car with you...take them and place them on your desk at work...place them on the kitchen counter while you are cooking supper...put them in your pocket for those unexpected times when doubt consumes you. Keep reading them until they take root in your heart and that joy that comes from Christ Jesus alone trumps our own ability to understand. And that JOY will come. That peace that surpasses all understanding will consume you.
One last thing, what we do have to remember is that we are ultimately seeking GOD'S PLAN. The vision that He placed in our hearts is for His purpose and for His reason. Though we do not always understand God's timing, He allows circumstances that grow our courage, sift our faith, and produce endurance, so that through these trials, His perfect love in us will be refined as pure gold...and He can be glorified through our love for others. Our ultimate existence should not be focused on a time nor a place for that vision to be fulfilled, but it should be on the planting of seeds and the producing of fruit...and God will handle the details! Let's ENJOY the journey that God has put us on! Oh, the abundant blessings that He already has in store for us if we do not lose sight of Him!!! Let's not miss one moment in seeking the harvest!!! And if fear or discouragement do find their way into our weary hearts, please don't lose courage and always remember that "He who has begun a good work in [us] will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ!(Philippians 1:6)!
POSTED BY MACKI SMITH AT 9:25 AM
The Journey
Wow!!! What a ride I have been on over the course of the past weeks. It is times as these when I have to lean not on my own understanding, but stand firm on those scriptures that God has pressed upon my heart. I have to believe that though the things around me are confusing and uncertain, if I keep my two feet standing on Christ Jesus, God's plan will prevail. My eyes have to keep looking upward, seeking for the answers that He has called for my life.
After a year-long strenuous sifting on my spirit, God has blessed me abundantly over the past few weeks by allowing an explosion of my faith to just overflow from every fiber of my body. There is a fire burning inside and a joy that has been re-lit in my heart after a year of a serious spiritual drought. Over the course of this past year, I have been doing all of the "right" things to seek God; however, He has remained hidden from me. I have mentally known that He is there, but I have not been able to emotionally "FEEL" that He was near me. There have been times over this past year where I was flat on my face sobbing and crying out for the Lord...wanting so desperately for Him to "comfort" my grief with that spiritual sensation that only He brings. But for some reason, that sensation did not come. I kept crying out..."Where are you God...where are You?" Looking back, I know that He was near me...very near; however, I do believe that God was allowing me to be tested...asking me..."Macki, what are you going to stand on...feelings or the things that I have promised you? Are your going to fight for Me...or allow your feelings to consume you?" You see, I had to come to the realization that despite being able to "feel" Him in the midst of my uncertain circumstances, I was going to stand on His many promises that He was still with me. I was going to stand on the promise that "He would never leave me or forsake me" (Deuteronomy 31:8). I was going to stand on the promise that "though I sowed seeds with tears, I would come back with shouts of joy" (Psalm 136:1-6). I was going to stand on the promise that "the testing on my faith would produce endurance "(James 1:3). I was going to stand on the promise that "if I do not lose heart in doing good, I would reap if I did not grow weary" (Galatians 6:9). I was going to stand on the promise that "if I raise my eyes towards Him, my help would come"(Psalm 121:1-2)!
And, WOW, how ABUNDANTLY my has Help come!!! He has moved like a mighty wave over every area of my life... nourishing it with His healing waters. There are just those times where I want to shout from the mountains...and this is one of them!! God is near!!! He has a plan!!! And this is what I have to remind myself of today. God has a plan...His perfect plan! If this year has taught me anything, it is to seek. Seek Him!! If we SEEK Him, and we shall FIND Him. If confusion and lack of understanding have boggled your mind and your clarity this week as they have done mine, go back to the basics. Pray scripture over your lack of understanding. Pray them over and over. Carry them in the car with you...take them and place them on your desk at work...place them on the kitchen counter while you are cooking supper...put them in your pocket for those unexpected times when doubt consumes you. Keep reading them until they take root in your heart and that joy that comes from Christ Jesus alone trumps our own ability to understand. And that JOY will come. That peace that surpasses all understanding will consume you.
One last thing, what we do have to remember is that we are ultimately seeking GOD'S PLAN. The vision that He placed in our hearts is for His purpose and for His reason. Though we do not always understand God's timing, He allows circumstances that grow our courage, sift our faith, and produce endurance, so that through these trials, His perfect love in us will be refined as pure gold...and He can be glorified through our love for others. Our ultimate existence should not be focused on a time nor a place for that vision to be fulfilled, but it should be on the planting of seeds and the producing of fruit...and God will handle the details! Let's ENJOY the journey that God has put us on! Oh, the abundant blessings that He already has in store for us if we do not lose sight of Him!!! Let's not miss one moment in seeking the harvest!!! And if fear or discouragement do find their way into our weary hearts, please don't lose courage and always remember that "He who has begun a good work in [us] will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ!(Philippians 1:6)!
POSTED BY MACKI SMITH AT 9:25 AM
Thursday, March 4, 2010
Week 6 Discussion Question
Hey Ladies...
Here is our blog question for the week!
"Describe a moment when you knew God had strategically timed something you read or heard."
This one may take some thought...it will for me as well. I hope that some of you can relate to this question and will feel comfortable sharing how God moved strategically in your life!!
Love ya,
Macki
Here is our blog question for the week!
"Describe a moment when you knew God had strategically timed something you read or heard."
This one may take some thought...it will for me as well. I hope that some of you can relate to this question and will feel comfortable sharing how God moved strategically in your life!!
Love ya,
Macki
Friday, February 26, 2010
Week 5 Discussion Question
Perfectionism...hum?!? This one is one that I know far too well. And as hard as it is for me to admit it, I took much pride in attempting to be perfect for far too many years. I honestly thought that if I could physically relate to the world that I had it all together (perfection), the less that I would have to face the fact that I was actually falling apart completely on the inside. Due to my insecurity in EVERYTHING, perfectionism was the one convected goal that my heart wanted so desperately to achieve. The sad fact about trying to achieve perfection is that it is IMPOSSIBLE...as humans we all fall short of the glory (and perfection) of God!!! In my quest in trying to constantly obtain this impossible goal, I created the perfect breeding ground for a life filled with insecurity. Thoughts like..."I will never be good enough, useful enough, competent enough, pretty enough, quick-minded enough,_____, ______, ______ enough..." consumed me each day.
Well, friends, in God's grace, He and I are making progress in both of these areas of perfectionism and insecurity!!!! When He first laid this women's Bible study and ministry on my heart, it took me an entire YEAR before I suggested anything to Bro. Scott because I was waiting for someone else to step up to this plate to do it! When I did go to Bro. Scott and suggest the need for a women's ministry at CrossPoint, I full-heartedly wanted him to suggest someone to me that he thought would be the perfect woman for the job. Well...the person that he suggested was FAR FAR from perfect...and was terribly insecure...and had baggage...and had her own issues...and was pregnant(good grief)!!!! Couldn't God have waited until I had my own act together before He asked me to do this!?! I never could have imagined in my wildest dreams that through this ministry, God would use it as a tool to help me get over myself! He has taught me that those in ministry are a far cry from perfect, but it is He who is made perfect through them! Ladies, it's not about us...it is about HIM IN US!!!
So our question is...
"Name ways a continued stronghold of perfection could be a severe detriment to your destiny."
I am a constant work in progress. And through this ministry, God is pressing from me to become more and more transparent with you. I am a far cry from perfection...but these days, progress is the goal that is far more important to me!!!
Love y'all,
Macki
Well, friends, in God's grace, He and I are making progress in both of these areas of perfectionism and insecurity!!!! When He first laid this women's Bible study and ministry on my heart, it took me an entire YEAR before I suggested anything to Bro. Scott because I was waiting for someone else to step up to this plate to do it! When I did go to Bro. Scott and suggest the need for a women's ministry at CrossPoint, I full-heartedly wanted him to suggest someone to me that he thought would be the perfect woman for the job. Well...the person that he suggested was FAR FAR from perfect...and was terribly insecure...and had baggage...and had her own issues...and was pregnant(good grief)!!!! Couldn't God have waited until I had my own act together before He asked me to do this!?! I never could have imagined in my wildest dreams that through this ministry, God would use it as a tool to help me get over myself! He has taught me that those in ministry are a far cry from perfect, but it is He who is made perfect through them! Ladies, it's not about us...it is about HIM IN US!!!
So our question is...
"Name ways a continued stronghold of perfection could be a severe detriment to your destiny."
I am a constant work in progress. And through this ministry, God is pressing from me to become more and more transparent with you. I am a far cry from perfection...but these days, progress is the goal that is far more important to me!!!
Love y'all,
Macki
Thursday, February 18, 2010
Week 4 Discussion Question
Well...I am writing this post with my sweet Mackinzie crawling in my lap and banging my head with the remote control. If I put her on the floor to play this early in the morning, she screams incessantly until I pick her up, so I am going to apologize early for any typos before I attempt to write anymore!
I don't know about you, but this video this week really "got" to me. Especially that part "to identify is to testify." My personal testimony is something that I struggle with sharing. You see, I have "dealt with my junk," but at the same time, I don't especially like to discuss the fact that, yes, I had junk...and at any moment, I may have more junk to deal with again! When Beth discussed, "trying to leave your past trials behind and attempting to forget that this past was a part of you" really hit home for me. I think that we can all relate to God's changing us from the inside out, and we want to live the life of the upward call. But this upward call is a call to transparency. If we can't relate to others, who on earth would want to be a part of this royal priesthood that God has given us. If we can't share God's redemption in our own lives, who on earth will grasp that they too could be redeemed!
So enough with my soapbox...here is our question for the week. It is taken from Day 1 on page 86.
"Has God ever allowed threat of trouble in your life to drive you to your knees. If so, what did you learn through the experience?"
Can't wait to read your responses!!
I don't know about you, but this video this week really "got" to me. Especially that part "to identify is to testify." My personal testimony is something that I struggle with sharing. You see, I have "dealt with my junk," but at the same time, I don't especially like to discuss the fact that, yes, I had junk...and at any moment, I may have more junk to deal with again! When Beth discussed, "trying to leave your past trials behind and attempting to forget that this past was a part of you" really hit home for me. I think that we can all relate to God's changing us from the inside out, and we want to live the life of the upward call. But this upward call is a call to transparency. If we can't relate to others, who on earth would want to be a part of this royal priesthood that God has given us. If we can't share God's redemption in our own lives, who on earth will grasp that they too could be redeemed!
So enough with my soapbox...here is our question for the week. It is taken from Day 1 on page 86.
"Has God ever allowed threat of trouble in your life to drive you to your knees. If so, what did you learn through the experience?"
Can't wait to read your responses!!
Saturday, February 13, 2010
Week 3 Discussion Question
Sorry Ladies that it has taken me this long to post our blog question. This week has been very challenging for me in finding a discussion question that we can openly discuss over the blog. The homework has been very convicting to me in Week 3, and I hope that all of you have felt the same way. Instead of asking a specific question, I am going to ask you to discuss one thing that was relevant to you in any of the 5 days of homework!
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
Love Ya Girls!!!
I just wanted to let all of you know how much I am really enjoying this Bible study! I absolutely feel that we have the BEST group of girls for both the morning and evening studies. There is no doubt that God has brought each one of you to this group for a reason. If you ever get overwhelmed with all of the homework, please remember that this group is a safe place and not a place to be intimidated...keep your head up and keep going as best as you can! Though many of you I am just beginning to get to know, ALL of you have become SO SPECIAL to me!!! I look forward to each week getting to see you and having the blessing of studying God's Word beside you. I am praying that all of your days this week are blessed abundantly! Love y'all...Macki
Thursday, February 4, 2010
Esther: Week 2 Discussion Question
When Beauty is A Treatment!!!
Ladies, let's have fun with this one!! This week, the topic is beauty, and no matter how much we would like to admit that it doesn't affect us...let's face it...it definitely does (and we LIKE it!!) I know that I like to "beautify" myself...as well as anyone else around who will let me "beautify" them...can we say "make-overs" anyone? Poor Mackinzie, at the age of 1 she is stuck tolerating me and my beutifications. Each morning, I have to put her piggy-tails perfectly in place and accessorize them with the exact shade of "oh-so-pink" bows to match her equally adorable outfit. And if her curls are not as curly as I like, I even give them a extra spring before she leaves the house! No, we aren't Toddlers and Tiaras...yet...but that's why I have you girls to keep me in line!!! If I bring Mackinzie to Bible Study with a tiara on her head, blue eyeshadow, fake eyelashes, spray tan, and a purple feather boa, that's when you may need to pull me aside for a "come to Jesus"!
So...here's our question for the week:
The Hebrew term translated "beauty treatments" in Esther 2:3 means "cosmetics, beauty treatments , precious ointments, soaps for bathing." If you're home right now, go into your bathroom, look in the cabinets, and make a list of as many items as as you can find that fall under these categories.
Have fun!!!
Ladies, let's have fun with this one!! This week, the topic is beauty, and no matter how much we would like to admit that it doesn't affect us...let's face it...it definitely does (and we LIKE it!!) I know that I like to "beautify" myself...as well as anyone else around who will let me "beautify" them...can we say "make-overs" anyone? Poor Mackinzie, at the age of 1 she is stuck tolerating me and my beutifications. Each morning, I have to put her piggy-tails perfectly in place and accessorize them with the exact shade of "oh-so-pink" bows to match her equally adorable outfit. And if her curls are not as curly as I like, I even give them a extra spring before she leaves the house! No, we aren't Toddlers and Tiaras...yet...but that's why I have you girls to keep me in line!!! If I bring Mackinzie to Bible Study with a tiara on her head, blue eyeshadow, fake eyelashes, spray tan, and a purple feather boa, that's when you may need to pull me aside for a "come to Jesus"!
So...here's our question for the week:
The Hebrew term translated "beauty treatments" in Esther 2:3 means "cosmetics, beauty treatments , precious ointments, soaps for bathing." If you're home right now, go into your bathroom, look in the cabinets, and make a list of as many items as as you can find that fall under these categories.
Have fun!!!
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
Esther: Week 1 Discussion Question
Alright Ladies,
Here's the first of our blog questions! It is taken from Day 1 on page 13.
"What are you hoping for as you begin this study?"
Not too bad, huh?
I hope that all of you have the chance to answer this!! I can't wait to read your responses!!! To help you get started, I will go ahead and post my response!! Also, I have included instructions on how to post a comment below.
Remember, treats will follow for answering this!!!
(To post a comment, click on the "comments" button below. This will take you to the screen where you can post your comment. At the bottom of this screen, you have several options. You can choose to leave a comment by setting up a google account or by filling in a blank with your name. You can also choose to leave the comment as anonymous, but if you decide to do this, please leave your name at the bottom of your comment so that you can get your treat...you don't want to miss that!! I hope that this is not too difficult. If you need help, just e-mail me!!)
Love all of you,
Macki
Here's the first of our blog questions! It is taken from Day 1 on page 13.
"What are you hoping for as you begin this study?"
Not too bad, huh?
I hope that all of you have the chance to answer this!! I can't wait to read your responses!!! To help you get started, I will go ahead and post my response!! Also, I have included instructions on how to post a comment below.
Remember, treats will follow for answering this!!!
(To post a comment, click on the "comments" button below. This will take you to the screen where you can post your comment. At the bottom of this screen, you have several options. You can choose to leave a comment by setting up a google account or by filling in a blank with your name. You can also choose to leave the comment as anonymous, but if you decide to do this, please leave your name at the bottom of your comment so that you can get your treat...you don't want to miss that!! I hope that this is not too difficult. If you need help, just e-mail me!!)
Love all of you,
Macki
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
Hey Everyone,
I hope that all of you have enjoyed the beginning of our study on the book of Esther! I love God's Word and enjoy fitting all of the pieces of the puzzle together...nothing challenges my brain more...nor do I find anything more intriguing! The study of Esther is so relevant to us girls, and I know that all of the hard work that we put into this study will be blessed abundantly! Hang in there girls and watch to see what ways God is blessing your life through this study. He will...but our eyes just have to be focused on watching for that blessing...let's not miss it by getting distracted! Our journey is going to filled with so much learning that our brains are just going to think that they may explode, yet we will find ourselves wanting more. You see, once you begin in-depth Bible study...you just can't stop. Your heart is forever changed, and your mind is forever left wanting to know more...more...more! Wanting to know more about His character, His love, His ways, His Word. In this life, we just learn fragments, and we piece those fragments together to form a understanding of who He is...as much of an understanding that our finite human minds can comprehend. The more fragments we have; the deeper our abilities are to know, understand, and believe Who He IS!!! Jeremiah 9:24 says..."let him who boasts boast about this: that he understands and knows ME." Girls, let's be able to boast that we know HIM!!! That we are readers and lovers of His Word!! Let our life's mission be to learn as many fragments about His character as humanly possible to have a working comprehension of Who He is! Then...on one sweet, sweet day, we can take these fragments and place these pieces as a offering at the actual mercy seat of Christ. And then, He will fill in all of our missing pieces with the actuality of Who He is, and we will be able to look up and say..."I know Him!! I know Him!!" What a wonderful day that will be when we can fully know Him and actually kiss His face!!! But until that blessed day comes, let's commit to learn veraciously and intensely. Let's commit to love each other genuinely and passionately. Let's commit to live this life intentially...for the upward call in Christ!!!
Philippians 3:13-14
"Brother (and sisters), I do not count myself to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: forgetting what is behind and reaching toward those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal, for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus."
I hope that all of you have enjoyed the beginning of our study on the book of Esther! I love God's Word and enjoy fitting all of the pieces of the puzzle together...nothing challenges my brain more...nor do I find anything more intriguing! The study of Esther is so relevant to us girls, and I know that all of the hard work that we put into this study will be blessed abundantly! Hang in there girls and watch to see what ways God is blessing your life through this study. He will...but our eyes just have to be focused on watching for that blessing...let's not miss it by getting distracted! Our journey is going to filled with so much learning that our brains are just going to think that they may explode, yet we will find ourselves wanting more. You see, once you begin in-depth Bible study...you just can't stop. Your heart is forever changed, and your mind is forever left wanting to know more...more...more! Wanting to know more about His character, His love, His ways, His Word. In this life, we just learn fragments, and we piece those fragments together to form a understanding of who He is...as much of an understanding that our finite human minds can comprehend. The more fragments we have; the deeper our abilities are to know, understand, and believe Who He IS!!! Jeremiah 9:24 says..."let him who boasts boast about this: that he understands and knows ME." Girls, let's be able to boast that we know HIM!!! That we are readers and lovers of His Word!! Let our life's mission be to learn as many fragments about His character as humanly possible to have a working comprehension of Who He is! Then...on one sweet, sweet day, we can take these fragments and place these pieces as a offering at the actual mercy seat of Christ. And then, He will fill in all of our missing pieces with the actuality of Who He is, and we will be able to look up and say..."I know Him!! I know Him!!" What a wonderful day that will be when we can fully know Him and actually kiss His face!!! But until that blessed day comes, let's commit to learn veraciously and intensely. Let's commit to love each other genuinely and passionately. Let's commit to live this life intentially...for the upward call in Christ!!!
Philippians 3:13-14
"Brother (and sisters), I do not count myself to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: forgetting what is behind and reaching toward those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal, for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus."
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
Let's Try this Again!!!
Ok, so I have decided to give this CrossPoint women's ministry blog another shot!!! I think it will be a fantastic way for all of us to stay connected with one another and explore new ways of sharing our faith through technology. Also, now that we are about to begin a new Bible study, it may be fun to discuss things that we have encountered in our homework. I hope that this helps ignite a new fire for the women's ministry at CrossPoint! Let's face it ladies, we are the communicators!!! The ladies are the heart behind the ministry at any church; that is why I feel that this ministry is vital for CrossPoint. So let's use this blog to sharpen, encourage, and above all things...love each other. I can't wait to see what great and glorious ways God is going to use this blog for His ultimate glory!
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