I had an interesting experience yesterday. I was at Children's Place making a return and looking at their shoes that were on sale. I found a box that scanned at $2.99, but the shoes inside the box were not what the scanner said they should be. When I was checking out I asked about the price of the shoes. It turns out the box was re-used and the bar code not changed. The shoes in the box weren't on sale so I decided not to buy them.
I made my return and purchased a few other things. This morning when I was emptying the bag I realize the salesman put my returned items back in the bag. While some might see this as a windfall...their mistake, etc...I see this as an opportunity to be honest, even though it will cost me the time and gas to go back. I can't say I'm thrilled about having to go back to the store, but have to wonder how God may use this in the big picture of life.
Wednesday, April 30, 2008
Sunday, April 27, 2008
What's New in Women's ministries?
Our jewelry night was a huge success! Thanks to all who came and especially to Tori for helping us assemble our necklaces and bracelets.
Our next activity is our Mom Time Cafe this coming Saturday, May 3 from 1-3 pm at the home of Sherri Markle. This is the one time of year that we set aside time to encourage our moms. This year Pastor Steve's mom, Leslie Markle will be sharing a devotional with us. To register, visit the church website www.lifecc.us.
We are still working through the book "Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World." Last week we worked through chapter 5, Living Room intimacy. The question posed is how do we develop an intimate relationship with God? The answer...PRAYER + THE WORD + TIME = INTIMACY WITH GOD. While we will always be working on each of these areas, we usually find one easier than another and it varies from person to person.
Some of our upcoming events include and movie night in June and book club in July and August. In June we will be starting a First Place Bible study. Watch your email for more details. I hope to see many of our LCC women at these activities!
Our next activity is our Mom Time Cafe this coming Saturday, May 3 from 1-3 pm at the home of Sherri Markle. This is the one time of year that we set aside time to encourage our moms. This year Pastor Steve's mom, Leslie Markle will be sharing a devotional with us. To register, visit the church website www.lifecc.us.
We are still working through the book "Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World." Last week we worked through chapter 5, Living Room intimacy. The question posed is how do we develop an intimate relationship with God? The answer...PRAYER + THE WORD + TIME = INTIMACY WITH GOD. While we will always be working on each of these areas, we usually find one easier than another and it varies from person to person.
Some of our upcoming events include and movie night in June and book club in July and August. In June we will be starting a First Place Bible study. Watch your email for more details. I hope to see many of our LCC women at these activities!
Monday, April 14, 2008
Jewelry Night Update
We have now opened up jewelry night to all ladies in the 6th grade and up! It should make the evening lots of fun and be a great opportunity to get to know some of our teens as well. I really need everyone to RSVP that they are coming and which jewelry set they'd like to make. Below are pictures of the choices.
The second choice is turquoise.
The first choice is a black set accented with gray an silver beads.
The second choice is turquoise.
You have a choice of color with this cat eye and pearl set: light blue, mint green or dark purple.
Tori Markle has been instrumental in helping me plan this evening, yes Pastor Steve and Sherri's Tori who is in the 6th grade. She has been gifted with an amazing eye for design and while we have not discussed this, I suspect she'd be willing to make something for you if you are unable to attend on Friday.
Saturday, April 12, 2008
Mary Heart, Martha World Week 3
When I started reading this chapter, I thought it would be an easy and quick read because I really didn't think I had a problem with worrying...well I discovered things to the contrary. I don't necessarily worry about huge issues, I tend to worry more about things in the past or things that don't really carry much significance, yikes! At the beginning of the chapter Mrs. Weaver talks about worry beads and trying to solve the rubix cube. Since I believed it was impossible for me, I never even tried to solve it...much like dealing with worry issues.
We talked about the manifestations of worry: biting nails, pacing floor, wringing hands, not sleeping, tense or sore stiff muscles and upset stomach to name a few. We also talked about synonyms of worry (might as well get it all out on the table to look at) such as anxiety, fretting, fear and frustration.
We discussed Martha's possible reactions when Jesus told her she was worried about many things. I think sometimes God doesn't fill in all the blanks because we all react differently which makes it easier for us to put ourselves in Martha's sandals.
We spent the bulk of our time in the following scriptures looking at the command given, the results and then what we saying to God if we choose not to follow the directives given. These are the scriptures we looked at: I Peter 5:7, Proverbs 3:5,6, Psalm 37:8,9, Matthew 6:25-34 and Philippians 4:6-7.
We started discussing how to deal with our worry though that will also be the topic of chapter 4. I was amazed of the illustration given of the fog and how little water is required to produce such a large area of dense fog. It gives "making a mountain out of a molehill" new meaning.
Towards the end we revisited Philippians 4:6-8 and looked at it's specific directions while we walked through a hypothetical situation to counsel someone (me in this situation) struggling with an anxious situation. The specific directives are: 1. Be anxious about nothing. 2. Pray about everything. 3. Be thankful for all things. 4. Think about things that are noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent and praiseworthy.
We closed looking at a solved Rubik cube. My son is a whiz at putting one back to perfect order and as I've learned from him, there are specific instructions or equations for solving it. He can actually "fix" one in about 2 minutes. It got me thinking...while not easy to learn, God has also given us His "fix" or equation to deal with the worry monsters in our lives...follow the directives in the previous paragraph from Philippians. Now that we have some instructions I guess the challenge is learning them and then putting them into practice. I'd love to hear how God is working in your life through this study...why don't you post a comment on the blog?!
We talked about the manifestations of worry: biting nails, pacing floor, wringing hands, not sleeping, tense or sore stiff muscles and upset stomach to name a few. We also talked about synonyms of worry (might as well get it all out on the table to look at) such as anxiety, fretting, fear and frustration.
We discussed Martha's possible reactions when Jesus told her she was worried about many things. I think sometimes God doesn't fill in all the blanks because we all react differently which makes it easier for us to put ourselves in Martha's sandals.
We spent the bulk of our time in the following scriptures looking at the command given, the results and then what we saying to God if we choose not to follow the directives given. These are the scriptures we looked at: I Peter 5:7, Proverbs 3:5,6, Psalm 37:8,9, Matthew 6:25-34 and Philippians 4:6-7.
We started discussing how to deal with our worry though that will also be the topic of chapter 4. I was amazed of the illustration given of the fog and how little water is required to produce such a large area of dense fog. It gives "making a mountain out of a molehill" new meaning.
Towards the end we revisited Philippians 4:6-8 and looked at it's specific directions while we walked through a hypothetical situation to counsel someone (me in this situation) struggling with an anxious situation. The specific directives are: 1. Be anxious about nothing. 2. Pray about everything. 3. Be thankful for all things. 4. Think about things that are noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent and praiseworthy.
We closed looking at a solved Rubik cube. My son is a whiz at putting one back to perfect order and as I've learned from him, there are specific instructions or equations for solving it. He can actually "fix" one in about 2 minutes. It got me thinking...while not easy to learn, God has also given us His "fix" or equation to deal with the worry monsters in our lives...follow the directives in the previous paragraph from Philippians. Now that we have some instructions I guess the challenge is learning them and then putting them into practice. I'd love to hear how God is working in your life through this study...why don't you post a comment on the blog?!
Jewelry Night
Our next women's ministry activity will be a jewelry making night at my home this coming Friday, April 18th. Tori Markle, Pastor Steve and Sherri's daughter has been working closely with me to plan this evening. We both started making jewelry a couple years ago. She has an incredible eye and sense of design and I'm looking forward to her being here with us! It's also a wonderful opportunity for her to share some of her creations with the ladies at church as she is working on a personal jewelry business and raising money for the summer youth missions trip.
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We are trying to limit the selections so we have enough supplies, but provide a range in both color/style selection and price. One of the selections is this light blue/pearl set. You can make this set in the light blue, mint green or a dark purple. We will also have an aqua set and black and silver set to choose from.
You may not be a "jewelry person," but consider coming anyway. The fellowship is always great and you could consider making something for a spring birthday or mother's day.
Thursday, April 10, 2008
Just not getting it all done
I'm sure I'm not the first woman to feel like I just can't get everything done, all while maintaining my sanity! Unfortunately blogging has had to be lower on my to-do list and I'm sorry to those of you who log on looking for some encouragement or just to find out what's happening at with the LCC women. I don't know if anyone can identify, but this time of year I have the NEED to go through the house and reorganize things...all with the help of my very active little Maryn. Today she found a roll of dental floss and had the best time unraveling it, then getting tangled and untangled in it. I do promise to keep trying. I'm working on this past week's Bible study post as well as a post for our upcoming jewelry making night which is next Friday, April 18th at my house from 7-9 pm. I'll be sending out an email and have information available on Sunday as well. Thanks for bearing with me!
Wednesday, April 2, 2008
Mary Heart, Martha World, Week 2
Kristie led our group for week two, this is her summary:
Have you ever asked “Lord, don’t you care?” Martha did and that was the focus of our study this week.
After looking again at Luke 10:38-42, it was interesting to note on page 18 “Martha’s pursuits were far from trivial…In fact, the ‘preparations’ Martha pursued were described by Luke as diakonia –the New Testament word for ministry.” Here was a woman who was ministering to Jesus and his followers…she opened her home and was preparing them a meal, but somewhere along the way she got off track. How can we make sure that we don’t make the same mistake?
We looked at two other examples in the Bible: Elijah in 1 Kings 19:1-18 and Jonah in Jonah 3:10-4:11. In both cases, these men were working for the Lord and great things were happening. But both men find themselves isolated and discouraged. Elijah let fear lead him to despair. Jonah let his anger and sense of injustice lead him to want to give up on life. In both cases (and also with Martha) God did not come and accuse them, but instead He used it as a teaching moment to show them they were on the wrong track. One of the things that Jonah fussed at God about was actually what we need God to be:
“I knew that you are a gracious and compassionate God, slow to anger and abounding in love, a God who relents from sending calamity.” Jonah 4:2
The book focused on how Martha got to the point that she asked “Lord, don’t you care?” The book suggests Satan uses “Three Deadly Ds of Destruction”.
DISTRACTION “Get people’s eyes off God and on their circumstances” page 17.
Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. Hebrews 12:2-3
DISCOURAGEMENT “Breaks down our perspective and our defenses” page 19.
See to it, brothers, that none of you has a sinful, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God. But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin's deceitfulness. Hebrews 3:12-13
DOUBT “If he can’t make us doubt God’s existence, Satan will do his best to make us doubt God’s love” page 22. We looked at God’s love for us in Psalm 103 and Jesus’ encounter with Thomas in John 20:24-31.
We closed with three lessons we learn from Martha’s encounter with Jesus:
1. We can bring our needs to Jesus anytime and anywhere. Philippians 4:6
2. Jesus really cares about what concerns us. Psalm 17:6 and 1 Peter 5:7
3. Jesus loves us enough to confront us when our attitude is wrong. Hebrews 12:6 and Revelation 3:19
Have you ever asked “Lord, don’t you care?” Martha did and that was the focus of our study this week.
After looking again at Luke 10:38-42, it was interesting to note on page 18 “Martha’s pursuits were far from trivial…In fact, the ‘preparations’ Martha pursued were described by Luke as diakonia –the New Testament word for ministry.” Here was a woman who was ministering to Jesus and his followers…she opened her home and was preparing them a meal, but somewhere along the way she got off track. How can we make sure that we don’t make the same mistake?
We looked at two other examples in the Bible: Elijah in 1 Kings 19:1-18 and Jonah in Jonah 3:10-4:11. In both cases, these men were working for the Lord and great things were happening. But both men find themselves isolated and discouraged. Elijah let fear lead him to despair. Jonah let his anger and sense of injustice lead him to want to give up on life. In both cases (and also with Martha) God did not come and accuse them, but instead He used it as a teaching moment to show them they were on the wrong track. One of the things that Jonah fussed at God about was actually what we need God to be:
“I knew that you are a gracious and compassionate God, slow to anger and abounding in love, a God who relents from sending calamity.” Jonah 4:2
The book focused on how Martha got to the point that she asked “Lord, don’t you care?” The book suggests Satan uses “Three Deadly Ds of Destruction”.
DISTRACTION “Get people’s eyes off God and on their circumstances” page 17.
Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. Hebrews 12:2-3
DISCOURAGEMENT “Breaks down our perspective and our defenses” page 19.
See to it, brothers, that none of you has a sinful, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God. But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin's deceitfulness. Hebrews 3:12-13
DOUBT “If he can’t make us doubt God’s existence, Satan will do his best to make us doubt God’s love” page 22. We looked at God’s love for us in Psalm 103 and Jesus’ encounter with Thomas in John 20:24-31.
We closed with three lessons we learn from Martha’s encounter with Jesus:
1. We can bring our needs to Jesus anytime and anywhere. Philippians 4:6
2. Jesus really cares about what concerns us. Psalm 17:6 and 1 Peter 5:7
3. Jesus loves us enough to confront us when our attitude is wrong. Hebrews 12:6 and Revelation 3:19
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