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Support for you during the Downingtown School Strike...
We have made provisions to provide childcare for your students while you are in Bible study. We don't want anyone unable to come to study due to the school strike.
If you will be bringing your student, please email or call Louann at 610.431.0300 x109 or lkrodgers@comcast.net with your child's name and grade.
There is no charge for this care, we are so thankful for the many who have stepped forward to help during this time! Donations for snacks and other craft materials are welcomed.
Let's all join in prayer for those handling the school negotiations and for the families disrupted by the circumstances this strike has created. |
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NEW Women's Bible Studies in February!
ALL are welcome.
The Power of a Praying Woman, by Stormie Omartian is offered during each of our Bible Study sessions, beginning Feb. 5th
The Power of a Praying Parent, also by Stormie Omartian is offered during our Tuesday evening study beginning Feb. 19th.
Join us as we study God's Word for wisdom, grace and understanding. Explore answers to tough questions. Share in dynamic discussion of spiritual truths and insight.
Connect with other women and enjoy meaningful
friendships. 
Choose from 3 weekly study sessions: Tuesday Evenings, 7-9p.m. and Wednesday and Thursday Mornings, 9:15-11:30 a.m.
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Loving Your Husband
Come and spend an evening on what it means to truly love the man you're with! Despite the force of our culture, there is wisdom for the intimate issues in your marriage.
Join us as we discuss
how this is possible from God's perspective in our present culture.
Guest Speaker, Dawn Harkins, wife and lover of God and His Word!
At the home of Jen Maggiore, 827 Dover Court Pl, Downingtown, 610.873.1187
Questions/directions? Call Megan, 610.518.3852
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Home School
Support Group
Meeting monthly in various homes. All are welcome.
Meeting at the home of
Amy Ludwig,
922 Whiticar Lane,
West Chester.
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Because of His Great Love
"These remain: faith, hope and love: but the greatest of these is love." 1 Cor 3:13
He doesn't bring me roses,
But He is called the Rose of Sharon.
He doesn't send flowers to my office,
But He grows beautiful flowers in my garden.
He doesn't kiss me,
But I sense His kiss when I feel sunshine
Or softly falling rain.
He doesn't give me sparkling diamonds to wear,
But the stars He sets in the sky shine even more brilliantly.
He doesn't whisper in my ear,
But His still small voice is ever with me.
He isn't a valentine who has pledged lifelong love,
But He is Eternal Love.
He demonstrated it
Not by gifts or well-intentioned promises,
But by offering Himself as the fulfillment of promise.
Not by standing with me at the wedding altar,
But by placing Himself on the altar.
That I may know life...
That I may know Him...
And love Him forever.
[J.K. Lawrence;Decision, Feb, 2000]
May God's Great Love bless you and surround you, and allow you to do great things in His Name. |
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Pondering Prayer...
pressing into God
I've been pondering prayer lately. Perservering through a season and pressing into prayer. Praying, pondering and posing questions to God. Our recent studies of the Tabernacle create word pictures of rich incense, detailed preparations, atoning sacrifice and entering into the very presence of God. My simple prayers in my PJs seem such a long way off.
Yet stopping, finding the stillness, listening in the quiet, coming to God in prayer with a humble heart...this privilege truly is stepping onto holy ground. That ground is holy because Jesus Christ stands at the right hand of God interceding for us [Hebrews 7:24-25]. Can we grasp that concept fully? The incense of my prayers are carried to The Father because of our atonement, our Savior who died for us, Jesus Christ.
It's profound and yet simple. It's joyful. Remarkable. God wants to hear from us and Christ lives to intercede for us. So can I stop and find the stillness to enter into that holy place? Can I find rest in turning the fears and troubles of my life over to God? Can I push aside my everyday circumstances and light the incense of my heart to listen? The questions I've asked God lately have given me a deeper understanding of Him.
"Prayer is a partnership with God, an open door through which He speaks to us and changes us from the inside out." [S.Omartian].
Finding holy ground with God in prayer changes me. It's not always pretty and frankly, my slippers are a bit tattered. But God's faithfulness in the big and small things shows me He is actively involved in the intricate design of our lives. And with grace undeserved, loves us despite knowing all those little details.
"Draw near to God and He will draw near to you." James 4:8 |
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Protecting our Marriages
Marriages don't stand still. Is yours going in the right direction?
God wants to bless our marriages. Marriage is a precious covenant between God and one man and one woman. God's Word gives us great insight for our marriages because marriage is hard.
Marriage is two people coming together with different backgrounds, different expectations, and different personalities, characters, and sexual designs. It is complex, character defining, and sometimes completely confusing!
But marriage is about God.
Gary Rosberg says, "Marriage is not about you. It's about Who provided it for you." It is about truth, self sacrifice, perserverance and intimacy.
We live in a culture that has turned the most intimate parts of marriage into a self satisfying display. Hollywood images, politically correct causes, state by state definitions of marriage, rampant pornography -- the battle faces us daily.
Are we committed to overcome difficulty and fight for our marriages? Our God is a God who redeems, ask Him to redeem your marriage.
Consider these ideas to redeem your marriage:
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Pray. Ask for God's power and strength over your marriage. There is nothing we cannot tell God. Let him into your marriage
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Date. Set aside some 'date' time, even if that is simply a long walk. Setting aside the time tells your husband he is important to you.
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Take action. Plan unexpected outtings, surprise dates, write love notes... do the things your husband cares most about. Show your husband, don't wait for him to read your mind.
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Prepare. Go to a marriage conference together, or plan an overnight get away to allow for some uninterrupted quiet time together.
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Establish traditions, unique patterns in your life that will make special times more memorable and that will spur you on to new ones.
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Give. Give. And give more. Giving of yourself will come back to you, don't wait for expectations to be filled. Be selfless.
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Be intimate. God gave women special gifts, don't igore them! Within marriage they are beautiful and priceless.
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If you feel you are in trouble, ask for help. Let a good friend know your struggle and ask for accountability. Get pastoral guidance and consider marriage counseling. Don't ignore problems.
Some great resources for you to consider:
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Intimate Issues, by Linda Dillow & Lorraine Pintus
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The Five Love Languages, by Gary Chapman
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Love & Respect, by Emerson Eggerichs
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The Five Sex Needs of Men & Women, by Gary & Barbara Rosberg
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Men are Like Waffles, Women are Like Spaghetti, by Bill and Pam Farrel
Additional Resource: Marriage Series by Dr. James Stevens, Sr. Pastor, Christ Community Church. Call the office at 610.431.0300 to order a CD Set. www.visitchristcommunity.com |
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Dancing with God...
When I meditated on the word Guidance, I kept seeing "dance" at the end of the word and I thought about how doing God's will is a lot like dancing...
When two people try to lead, nothing feels right. The movement doesn't flow with the music, and everything is uncomfortable, they trip and break with the music.
When one person realizes this and lets the other lead, both begin to flow with the music. One gives gentle cues, perhaps with a nudge to the back or by pressing lightly in one direction or another, moving together seemlessly, beautifully. The dance takes surrender, willingness, and attentiveness from one person and gentle guidance and skill from the other.
My eyes drew back to the word guidance.
When I saw "G"... I thought of God, followed by "u" and "i".
"God, "u" and "i" dance." God, you, and I dance.
I prayed, willing to trust that I would set guidance about my life and once again, I became willing to let God lead. This prayer is powerful and there is nothing attached... it is surrender to a beautiful dance.
My prayer is that you will also let God lead. May you abide in God, as God abides in you. Dance together with God, trusting God to lead and to guide you through each season of your life.
I Hope You Dance!
[Kathy Triccolli] |
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 Light
Poem by Janet Battaglia to her husband, 1981.
As light dispels the darkness...
So my husband dispels the darkness...
of discouragement
of depression
of doubt in my life.
As light makes vision possible...
So my husband gives me vision...
to dream
to be
to become.
As light reaches the innermost parts of a room...
So my husband reaches the innermost parts of my being...
with his encouragement
wtih his prayers
with his love.
As light highlights an object...
So my husband highlights my best qualities...
and graciously keeps those others in the shadows of his mind.
Truly, my husband is the light of my life!
Mike and Janet Battaglia celebrated their 40th Anniversary this month! Janet is our faithful Kids Club Coordinator, a treasure we could not do without. When she comes in for set up, Mike is usually with her helping too. We love you both! | |
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Register NOW... Invitations are available.
Snowflake Cafe
February 23rd, 9a.m.- 12noon.
Come in from the cold winds of winter and be warmed in the body, soul and spirit. This is a morning of friendship and encouragement for all ladies, a terrific time to bring a friend to enjoy...
Sparkling Sweets & Frosted Fruits... Warm neck and Shoulder Massages... Warm Workshops... Inspiration and Spiritual Challenge... Friendship and Warm Encouragement!
This is a FREE Event, but we need you to sign up so we can plan workshop space. Invitations available at the women's information table. Click here to download [PDF] Workshop Information, and reserve your place by emailing women@RootedToGrow.com or calling the church office, 610.431.0300, x109. |
Wisdom: Grace
"Grace is God's word for love, expressed through divine forgiveness."
"A woman who embraces grace with both arms, who stops fretting over her sins and begins focusing on her Savior, who dries her tears so she can see others who are hurting, this is some kind of woman. Think of the impact God can have through your life! If you surrender yourself to a vibrant relationship with Jesus, the women in your circle of influence may never be the same because of you. And because of grace!: [Liz Curtis Higgs, Embrace Grace].
"Those who are wise will shine like the brightness of the heavens, and those who lead many to righteousness,
like the stars forever and ever." - Daniel 12:3
Note: Plan now to join us for our Liz Curtis Higgs Night, March 26th, 7:30 p.m. as we enjoy Liz's brand new teaching on Embrace Grace! Download our [PDF] Girls Night Out Schedule for 2008.
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Friends,
The Garden Post is designed to share news and information specifically for women, offer spiritual encouragement and insight, and provide resources and connections for wise living.
I welcome the opportunity to connect with you and want to hear from you. Stop by my BLOG periodically or give me a call. Email me any time with a question or suggestion.
Louann Rodgers, Director of Women's Ministries
lkrodgers@comcast.net ~ 610.431.0300 x109 ~ www.RootedToGrow.com
Christ Community Church.1190 Phoenixville Pike.West Chester, PA 19380
Connecting women to a generous God ~ "Rooted and established in love..." - Ephesians 3:17
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