Last MM & L meeting: August 4th

Last night was so precious! I had such a wonderful time talking with my bible study buddies and concluding such a wonderful time of God's teaching and the spiritual growing season we all have endured together!!
We started out on pg 102 & 103 where Jennifer talks about our memories being "books on a shelf". We were asked which books we pull from the shelf to review most often and assess whether they are "profitable" memories.
We all shared how often we tend to pull up those past, painful memories that produce such ugly soul talk. If we avoid those tough times and don't label them with a meaningful purpose, the memory becomes an enemy that traps us in guilt & shame and enslaves us. One gal brought up how all her memories were not really based on bad decisions, but facts...things she could not change. But how it brings her power to be able to see how her past has produced opportunity after opportunity for her to minister and show compassion to others now who find themselves in similar situations. (Talk about finding the benefits of God in our painful memories from the past! -Wow!)
We all identified with having "triggers" in our lives that made us think of the Lord & his promises...whether it be the picture of the Lord's supper at a church where you grew up, or a special spot in your house where you have quiet time in God's Word, bible verses framed around our grandmothers' homes....whatever the trigger was, we all had them & they all have had significant influence on us! Visuals that help us to not forget the benefits of God! How we need to have our own triggers to express God's benefits for our own families! If we have them in our homes, they will stick with our family members. At at time, when they (or even you) need the word--they may not be able to recall anything from the bible except maybe those visual triggers from around your home!
We talked about on pg 112-113 where Jennifer connects a complaining spirit and a sense of entitlement. How often we justify certain actions we take, because we feel "entitled"---we feel we rightfully deserve some benefit we've deemed we must have! Oh, I'm so glad I don't get what I DESERVE! God is so good in his grace and mercy to us! We should work to replace that sense of entitlement with a sense of gratefulness. (Easier said than done--but he knows our hearts & our motives!)
We each shared the most significant thing we've recongized about our self-talk--Each of us recognized how silly we would sound if we said the things we say to ourselves-- to others. Often, we are capable of giving others in our same situation-- compassion, grace & understanding...however we are so judgemental of ourselves! Often we carry things on us, that simply are not true, that weigh us down & keep us from God's full potential and His Will--which is just what the enemy wants!
We had fun sharing the "Colors" of our personalities, memories, secrets, feelings, treasures & thoughts on page 130! You had to be there for this one!
On pg. 136, we were asked: What is the most frequent song you're singing to yourself right now to help you persevere and keep hope alive? Beth shared that hers was "I will rise". Others shared were, "Little Things" & "You are Worthy"---sorry can't remember the exact names of the songs. (Wish I would have jotted those down last night!Sorry if I didn't quite get that right!) Mine was the praise chorus," You dance over me, while I am unaware. You sing all around, but I never hear a sound. Lord, I'm amazed by you, how you love me." Whether or not we are praying like we need to; whether or not we are spending time in his presence like we should; whether or not we are in good times or awful times in our lives----he's with us!
Every minute of this study has been challenging yet fun; painful, but still we kept coming back for more! God is faithful to complete a good work in us and I believe as we've persevered through this study, he is so very proud of us! Those of you who did not make it, you were so, so missed! I hope you all have a smooth start to the school year! I pray the Lord will give you strength to stay connected to Him through His Word! It is our divine weapon to demolish those strongholds and we need to stay prepared!
Love to you all!
Becky

MM & L Bible Study Meeting 3: Weeks 3 & 4

Tonight's bible study was so good! I missed some of my bible study buddies tonight! I hope everyone is doing well! I just want to encourage you all to pray for the ladies in our group. We ALL have "things" in our lives that the Lord is tending to. Ecclesiastes 4:12 says, "Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves, but a cord of three strands is not quickly broken." Let's lift each other up!
Now to the bible study:

It was easy to track the emotions to actions-What isn't always easy is choosing to listen to Wisdom. I hear the alarms going off & well sometimes I just go ahead and pitch my fit--even if I am the only in the room! (I know: tisk,tisk, tisk-Gotta let that Watchman of my thought-closet (Wisdom)do Her job!)

The one defining circumstance from which other issues flow took some time to really think about...glad I took the time & pinpointed it!If you didn't get this far in your homework, it is really worth thinking about...

Recurrent convictions lately-it's funny because during the day an "issue" will pop up & I think to myself "where did you come from?" and then I get busy with the day--I forget to bring it before the Lord. Asking us to think of any recurrent convictions we might have had lately, helped me to take the time to think about it & tell it to the Lord! No longer a weapon the devil can use! I'm so grateful.

Each of the folks in my group tonight, including me, had an accountability partner! Praise the Lord! There is safety in relationships! It is important to have someone you can trust to talk to. Yeah, I don't want to hear that I look fat in my favorite jeans--it would definately hurt my feelings, but my accoutability person would definately tell me & I need her to! She's watching my blind spots for me! (Proverbs 27:17-"iron sharpens iron")

Left tonight with a sweet, sweet peace that as we are in the trenches, dealing with our issues, God is preparing each of us for the specific call on our lives that we may stand strong & remain in the peace of God when the roaring lion attacks.

We only have one more meeting (Tuesday, August 4th 6-7:30 p.m. @ Carpe Diem Coffe & Tea). We will be going over the last 2 weeks of homework. I've already done a couple of days in week 5 & I HAVE to say---the best yet! Love you all! Good luck with your thought-closets!

Weeks 3 & 4 -MM&L Bible Study

These past 2 weeks of work have been enlightening & truly comforting. On pg. 59 when we wrote down that prayer for wisdom, it dawned on me that I don't ask for things I should. (We forget that though we do not deserve to take a step toward God, His grace and ALL the good things of God are for US.)
In reading this week about the Holy Spirit as my counselor...how He guides us into truth when we quiet ourselves and listen, I was painfully aware that I seem to ask for guidance when I'm in a situation that I do not know what to do....where I do not feel adequate. God does not want to guide me when I can't rely on myself...He wants me to rely on him everyday in every circumstance whether I think I can handle it or not! (Ouch---I feel growing pains!)
I love that the issue of confessing was addressed on pg. 81 --Salvation BEGINS with confessing. We cannot move forward and be transformed unless we confess our sins. ("Sin shows up in self-loathing, negative attitudes, and accepting lies as truth") As we are working through this workbook, we are becoming aware of ways that we have allowed sin to sit on a shelf in our closets. I don't know about you but it has brought me to some pretty humbling moments! But I understand that humbling myself before the Lord, becoming "awake" to my weaknesses & confessing my sin has allowed for change that brings about God's glory & brought me deliverance! Boy, have I been delivered over these past 4 weeks! I trust we've ALL been in the trenches, conquering our issues so that we can reach our potential that that "roaring lion" has been fighting to keep us from!
Here lately, it seems so many people in my prayers have triggered the scripture (though I can never seem to recall it word for word when I would like to---frustrating) 2 Corinthians 10:4-5, "the weapons we fight with are not of this world...they have divine power to demolish strongholds....". I loved that when Jennifer referenced this scripture, she immediately referenced Ephesians 6:16, "In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one." Faith! (Remember the woman with the issue of blood from Mark5? ) A beautiful story where a woman's courage, faith & hope allowed her to reach out & receive God's compassion, holiness & immediate healing --reminds me of us. We too, as we do this study--we are reaching out for our own healing, for wisdom and truth for our souls. "By faith we receive truth. By faith we believe truth. And by faith we act on truth." May your "soul-talk" be FULL of FAITH!

Second Meeting: MM & L @ Carpe Diem Coffee & Tea

Last night was an AWESOME girl-time & bible study time! I had so much fun getting the chance to know the wonderful, beautiful women in my group even more! I feel honored to get to spend this treasured (& I do mean TREASURED) time with them. This was the first time to meet since we've done the 1st 2 weeks of homework! Boy, that homework was harder than I expected it to be...but it was also great & much needed in my case!
We talked about how we confuse our struggles with our identities, those faulty assumptions we make, the worries that insanely control us at times, & the awful labels we give ourselves & others. We ALL have at least one area where the devil harasses us! I want to thank everyone who shared things that they really don't want people to know. Let's face it! It's embarrassing to admit our struggles & it makes us so vulnerable! The great thing is that God loves us in spite of all our weaknesses and when we humble ourselves before the Lord, and even each other, it puts us one step closer to restoration! God wants to heal our minds and use them for HIS glory.
Thanks to this annointed study, we are becoming aware of the devil's attempts to distract us with his lies & we are faithfully working on cleaning them out for good--replacing them with God's wonderful truth--HIS WORD! Moment by moment & thought by thought, God is ready to give us victory!

"My THINGS vs. HIM"

Wow! 2 weeks of homework in between meetings is harder than I thought it would be! I hope no one has lost motivation in doing their bible study! I felt myself slipping behind & then needing to catch up...it would have been easy just to say "forget it, I just don't have time for this..." But the truth is I DO have time. Makes me think of Adam & Eve in the garden. After they had sinned, they hid...and God was calling for them. He was used to spending time in fellowship with them & when they hid, He was looking for them! Do we "hide" from God? You know, behind errands, household chores, kids' activities, jobs, etc.? I get up every morning & think of all that I need to accomplish that day. Immediately, I am overwhelmed & get up to start knocking out that list (as much as I can before the 3 'bosses' get up!). Knowing I need to do my bible study...my time with God still falls to the bottom of my list some days, unfortuneately. God is 'looking for me' & I'm too distracted with things that really don't matter in an eternal perspective. Praying that God will give me wisdom to discern between the things that matter to him & the things are just "my things"....praying it for you too! Can't wait to hear your thoughts from the 1st 2 weeks! Hope to see you tomorrow night - 6:00 p.m at Carpe Diem Coffee & Tea Co.

My Thought-Closet Makeover: Cleaning out the clutter

I have a confession to make....I'm only on day 3 of my MM&L workbook, while I should be on day 4! Going to catch up this weekend, though! I'm determined. Has anyone had a time describing your thought-closet(The phrases you most often speak to your soul)? Boy...I've discovered...I'm pretty rough on myself! I had such a rough day yesterday after I faced ALL of those old ratty garments I clothe myself in, without realizing it! I read a couple of verses on a new friend's facebook this morning that was encouraging, thought I'd share with you...
"Today above all that I put on, I put on love. I clothe myself with behavior marked by mercy, tender hearted pity, kind feeling, a lowly opinion of myself, gentle ways and patience. I have the power to endure whatever comes with good temper. I am gentle and forbearing with others and, if I have a difference or a grievance with someone: even as the Lord has freely forgiven me, I also forgive others.." Colossians 3:12-14

Standing out the most to me...is putting on love & clothing ourselves with "behavior marked by mercy"...thinking marked by mercy.....Oh, if I could only remember that I have his mercy..that his thoughts (toward me)are higher than my thoughts (about myself).
Here's another...

"You will guard me and keep me in perfect and constant peace as my mind is stayed on You, because I commit myself to You, lean on You, and hope confidently in You....."Isaiah 26:3

Giving God room in my thoughts....Remember the scripture Psalm 10:4 that was mentioned in our homework--"The prideful & wicked do not seek God--there is no room for God in all his thoughts."

Dealing with my clutter, having some revelations.....hope you are too!

LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION

Just wanted my bible-study buddies to know, the meeting location for our next meeting (July 7) will NOT be changing. I checked out the space at Carpe Diem's upper room this morning, talked over the needs for our meeting with the manager and am assured it will be perfect for up to 30 folks. Coffee & Tea along with the fixin's will be free of charge, of course. However, if you're tempted by the pastries or anything else on the menu, you are more than welcome to bring some cash, that is up to you. Now, no more hinderences from me! I'll try to leave you alone to do your workbooks! (Always in my prayers, though.)

After-Launch Party....

It finally happened-- the Bible Study launched tonight & with 24 ladies attending!! I am just counting that as confirmation that God IS going to do awesome things in this Bible Study! Tonight's launch was a fun time of getting to know gals we didn't know, & getting to know the gals we already knew- a little bit better! We prayed together & watched the mini-session from Beth's website, got our instructions & split into smaller groups at random with some very sweet volunteers to help be discussion guides for the small group meetings.(Thank you girls for being willing to jump in!) Each gal was asked to write a text-message starting with this sentence: "Please pray for me. I..." It was a sweet time to hear the intimate needs that were in the small group (We kept each need anonymous, but prayed for each one.) Next, we read Psalm 19 from the Message translation. It proved to be one of the favorite parts of the night. We discovered what the Word of God does for us & the many benefits of studying scripture....it pulls our lives together, it gives us clear signs to the right roads, it shows the way to joy. God's directions are plain. It warns of danger & directs us to hidden treasure, keeps us from stupid sins. (Just paraphrasing....) We came back together as a group, closed out in prayer & took a mighty awesome picture! (Wen-the pic you took was the best as far as getting the most faces!) A BIG thank-you to Wendy, who must have burnt a thousand calories running around, pushing chairs to & fro & serving cold drinks. Yes, my sis-in-law, who also had the connections for the amazing board room we met in!Just a note from me...personally. I was so touched by the friendship that is desired by many of the women there. Women who need fellowship with other women.Genuine women, who love the Lord & simply want more of God. It was inspiring, encouraging & powerful just to be in that room of gals, who walk in so many different roles. We came together tonight, not just as moms, students, wives, the lady who works @ such & so place...we came together as daughters to reach out to our Father & bless Him! I believe we brought him much joy tonight!

Some of you showed an interest in watching Jennifer's videos at home to fill in the blanks on your listening guides in your workbooks. To access those videos, copy & paste the following in your URL: http://www.lifewaystores.com/lwstore/product.asp?isbn=L02980450X. It takes you directly to our Bible Study products on Lifewaystores website. All the way at the bottom of the page under Product Companions, you'll see each session's video which you can download, or just watch for $5. It is low resolution, so it is meant for individual use (not for a big screen). They are all 20-30 minutes long, so if you want feel free to watch at home in your jammies or split the cost & call a few of us from the bible study--meet somewhere (some places have free Wii Fi) & watch together!

If you missed this week....The homework is to work the first 2 weeks in your workbook by our 2nd meeting Tuesday July 7 (6 pm - 7:30). The second meeting is suppossed to be at Carpe Diem Coffee & Tea Co on Old Shell Road. I'm going tomorrow with my personal Civil Engineer by my side to decide if it is going to be big enough! ; D What an awesome "obstacle" to have! Praise the Lord! I will let you know if the location changes. In the meantime, ladies---look for those "hidden treasures" in His Word over the coming weeks--they are for YOU!

Me, Myself & Lies Bible Study Launch

Tonight is the launch of the women's bible study: Me, Myself & Lies by Jennifer Rothschild! I could barely sleep last night, I was so excited thinking about how God is going to teach me and also about all the women I get to meet, & get to know & hear about how God is also working in them through this study! It is an inspiring thing & I can't wait for it to begin!

I have to admit, since we are using Beth's mini sessions, as opppossed to buying the leader-kit for this study, I have felt so un-prepared! There has been not much at all to do to prepare for this bible study--and there are a lot of women planning to come.....am I not doing something right? Could it be THIS low-stress and easy? Well, I hope so! I sure don't want anyone to be disappointed! God has it in HIS hands. I believe the Holy Spirit helped me to stumble onto this bible study--so I know I can only expect GREAT & WONDERFUL things for SO MANY women--including me!

I don't know if this is normal for most folks, but anytime God wants to do great things around this house, it usually (not always) means there will be some obstacles to overcome...but I know God will bring HIS WILL about--no matter what! So I stand on guard today, claiming God's glory in all that tonight's study holds, despite what goes on between now and 6 p.m.! I pray over all my sisters who plan to join me, that today will be a good day for them!