R U being deceived?

Last Tuesday night, I had the privilege to begin an indepth Bible Study with a small group of ladies. A week or two earlier we went to "shop" for our new study. We decided to work on a course of study entitled, "Lies Women Believe and the Truth that sets them Free" by Nancy Leigh DeMoss. About a week before our study time together I purchase the actual book to accompany the companion guide that we'll be using. As I began to skim the book, I thought to myself, this book is a good addition to my work with mentoring, but I'm not sure how much I can personally relate to this subject. So, I began to work on the companion guide with an open heart and the idea that even though "I'm not being deceived", I can definitely learn some pointers to use and share. WOW, was I deceived!!!! My heart was definitely pierce as I read and searched the scriptures.

All of us, if we are honest are deceived by something in this world. Thankfully God is gracious and saw that my eyes and my lack of being humble needed an adjustment. I am totally absorbed in this study as a student of more knowledge. I do know that I will be able to share these thoughts with my mentoring. Mentoring is something that is close to my heart.

Some questions to ponder that are shared in the book: Is God good?, How can God Loves me?, Is God enough?, God's way is a miserable way to live?, Having God means life is problem-free? There are just a few thoughts. It is a study worth doing.

I will continue to share thoughts about our Christian walk and being deceived while serving God in this world again as well as some thoughts on recent books and studies that I am also working on.

Satan is good at his job, but God is SOOOOO much better. Enjoy your week and continue to pray for discernment that you will be able to choose correctly and not be deceived.

Serving 2, 4, 20, 60....

Yesterday we had a wonderful opportunity to serve some eager eaters at the annual Stand Your Ground youth day-retreat. There were 150 pre-registered and the total grew to over 260!!! God was truly glorified and we all had a fabulous day. How can you not enjoy time with fellow Christians. I was given the opportunity to again organize the two meals for the event. I had a group of dedicated and hardworking Christian friends to make this part of the retreat a true and huge success. We not only got all the items together and ready for the meals, but we also had 2+ hours in the afternoon to enjoy the beauty of the area at Camp Manatawny. We were able to hear a very good speaker share his thoughts and ideas about God and the importance of our walk. We participated some in the singing and were able to spend some time just enjoying talks and "catching up" with old friends and learning new things from newer friends. The kids were very polite and appreciative of the service that we provided. At the end of the evening, though we were tired we were filled with much appreciation for the service that we provided. If you have the opportunity to serve in a capacity at Camp Manatawny take advantage of the opportunity, it will change you and make you a better person. Camp is a special place!!! What a blessed day it was.

Mums the Word

I think I mentioned some time ago that I was going to be a part of a special weekend of a girls only type. If not forgive me for presuming I did share this living R life moment!!

This group of "mums" have bonded in all levels over many years. There were 4 of us this weekend.

I personally have seen 2 of these women blossom into wonderful mothers. The other friend and myself not only participated in the same youth group as children ourselves, but raised our children for many years together at the same church. We have grown as a group spiritually, emotionally, and even physically. Through thick and thin, joys of laughter and tears, we have bonded, even when months of time have passed without conversation...our bond allows us to be together in spirit! What a true blessing of living are lives together here on earth. The ultimate "chocolate sauce" on this earthly God-given dessert is that we are all sisters...sisters in Christ.

It has been over 2 years since all of us have been together and this weekend reinforced how we need to continue to make time in our lives (and we're at different seasons of our lives) to be together for an annual weekend.

This weekend was spent here in Delaware and the hotel, was our home. We decided to "play most of the weekend by ear", which is hard for some of us (ME), who likes things scheduled and layed out. (Frankly more of this group are like me too, but they won't admit it!) Anyways back to the weekend. We planned to go to a local spa establishment and pamper ourselves. I think we all enjoyed our time, though it wasn't as a full group, which would have been excellent since we haven't been together in such a long time. We were thankful for the pampering and felt like new women afterwards. We ventured to Panera's for a bite of lunch and then we just ventured into the unknown...remember now schedule or plan to follow!

We went to a local furniture store and shops and ended up back at our home for the evening. The decision was unanimous!!! We didn't explore any of the attractions in our area. We all were content in "hanging" out here at the house. We played cards, spoke of wonderful memories, our children, husbands, and our plans as women our homes and all our blessings. We had enough food to feed an army ( Andrea, the meal was DElicious) and it looked like all the chocolate that Hershey, etc could produce!!! Hey, it was a girls' night only remember!!!

I cannot say how wonderful my time was with each of these Godly women. I love them and treasure their relationships. I am SO blessed to have these women in my life and I pray that I am a blessing to them as well.

Treasure your friends and cultivate your relationships. "The only way to have a friend is to be one --Ralph Waldo Emerson" The circle of friends is such an important part of my personal Christian walk. Thank you Lisa, Andrea and Chris for being apart of this circle and my life. I love you..

Below is a thought that I found, though I do not know who wrote it I felt it to be so very appropriate. I have it in a "saved" file for future sharing. Enjoy:

GIRLS IN MY CIRCLE

When I was little,>> I used to believe in the concept of one best friend,>> and then I started to become a woman.>>>> And then I found out that if you allow your heart to open up,>> God would show you the best in many friends.>>>>>> One friend is needed when you're going through things with your man.>> Another friend is needed when you're going through things with your >> mom.>>>> Another will sit beside you in the bleachers as you delight in your>>children and their activities.>> Another when you want to shop, share, heal, hurt, joke, or just be.>>>> One friend will say, "Let's cry together,">> another, "Let's fight together, ">> another, "Let's walk away together.">>>>>>>>>> One friend will meet your spiritual need, another your shoe fetish,>> another your love for movies, another will be with you in your season>>of confusion,>> another will be your clarifier, another the wind beneath your wings.>>>>>> But whatever their assignment in your life, on whatever the occasion,>> on whatever the day, or wherever you need them to meet you with their>> gym shoes on and hair pulled back, or to hold you back from making a>> complete fool of yourself .. those are your best friends.>>>>!>> It may all be wrapped up in one woman, but for many, it's wrapped up >&g t; in>>several..>> one from 7th grade, one from high school, several from the college>>years,>> a couple from old jobs, on some days your mother, on some days your>>neighbor,>> on others, your sisters, and on some days, your daughters.

Once a Friend Always a Friend

Tonight I had the opportunity to meet with some Christian women. A few in the group I have not socialized with for over a year and one for almost 2 years! We are getting together twice a month for an evening indepth Bible study. I used to attend this same study 4 years ago, but due to my schedule changing had to give up meeting with the group. We met at the Christian bookstore to view options and we found our study for this time and we will begin the end of October!!!

As we greeted each other it was like we never were separated!! I recall in the scripture where it says, No one can separate us from the Love of God. That's how it felt tonight. We picked up exactly where we left off, discussing our families and our lives in Christ as well as our lives here on earth. We ended our evening with a meal together and a decaf coffee. It is such a blessing to have a common bond in Christ that when we are apart from each other, we are still close in spirit and heart. It takes only a spark to rekindle the fellowship through this blessed bond.

I am able to attend two bible studies this fall. I originally I was involved in a great study, but it didn't work with my personal schedule, but God opened the door for me to participate with old friends on a night that works so much better for my personal schedule. I have a Tuesday morning study with sisters and a Tuesday evening study with sisters. What a blessing!!!! I will share with you from time to time things that we have discussed.

Speaking of sharing, the Tuesday morning class is a video series Beth Moore, the Patriarchs and it is wonderful. The daily personal questions are challenging and the videos themselves are full of information and detail. I have already seen how God's plan was laid out for us through Abraham. How blessed to be able to learn intricate details that I've been reading for years and with one word (Hebrew/Greek) I see the plan much more clearer. Beth has a way of taking a familiar section of scripture and dissecting it to see how the plan all unfolds. The series is going to be a good indepth study. I truly enjoy the personal daily questions.

May your week be filled with blessings and daily miracles!

Tina