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!