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Welcome!
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.
I'm thankful for the gifts of friendship and want to share them. Do you think about the unique role you have as a woman in your home, your community? Do you have a question about your faith? About God?
Let's connect today... Louann
Louann Rodgers
lkrodgers@comcast.net
www.RootedToGrow.com
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...it's that time of year.
Summer comes to a close and lunchboxes and school schedules crowd our tables. Perhaps you home school and are setting up new curriculum. Maybe you have a pre-schooler starting for the first time. Here are some terrific articles worth reading...
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Equipping your Child for Public School...
10 Keys to Home School Success...
Back to School on a Budget...
Free advice for the college bound...
Homeschooling?
Consider joining us for friendship, prayer and support... Click here for more info.
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Women of Faith...
Infinite Grace Conference
We are very excited about the Women of Faith Infinite Grace Conference [September 12-13th at the Wachovia Center]. We are delighted that more than 130 of us will be attending in lower level box-suites where we will share in a time of spiritual refreshment, challenge and inspiration.
Presenting at this regional conference are (among many) are Nicole Mullen and Max Lucado.
If you have registered with us, TICKETS WILL BE AVAILABLE for pick up Sunday, Sept 7th.
If this pick up date is a problem, call us at 610.431.0300 x109, or email and we will assist you.
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Body and Soul
...where faith and fitness meet.
Classes Tuesday & Friday Mornings, 9:30 a.m. contemporary music, aerobics, strengthening exercises &
meaningful worship.
Fall Classes begin September 9th. All classes led by certified instructor, Marj Scott
[more...]
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Searching for gems... These days of early autumn come with a blur. New schedules, school
start-ups, parent meetings, committee demands, business changes, even
sleeping patterns. Somehow, it all seems to radically increase in pace
once the month of August comes to a close.
The pile of commitments is
overwhelming. I felt the pressure right away. Two of my
daughters are involved in high school sports this fall. The schedule is
demanding, incessant. The pressure is there and expectations high. The
demands of schedule, workout and intense commitment has been
significant.
Our culture demands engagement in the activities of achievement.
Women feel it most, for ourselves and those in our lives that we care for. How can we battel the demands of the culture we live in today? How can we find wisdom for daily life circumstances? Minimize stress under constant change? How can we connect purpose to the sometimes tedious demands? Where can we find peace in the midst of situations that might seem hopeless?
Let's be significant. Le'ts find some gems! GEMS of friendship and connection that will support and encourage us during difficult season and times. DIAMONDS of truth and wisdom that we ened to navigate in our changing world, and JEWELS of peace, purpose and personal growth in our spiritual lives so that we can be uncommon women of strength and grace. Let's search for rich, meaningful depth in our spiritual lives this season.
Come dig with us as we search for these riches and find the gems.
Women's Bible Study
begins this month.
Join us for our Welcome Gatherings:
Thursday Morning, September 25th, 9:15-11:15am
[Kids Club; infants - age 6]
Tuesday Evening, September 30th, 7:00-9:00pm
[during Jr High Youth Group] Wednesday Morning, October 1st, 9:15-11:15am
[WOW Kids; ages 3-6]
Download study descriptions and information and REGISTER NOW. Thursday Kids Club is still available, and limited spots are available for Wednesday WOW Kids.
Questions? Call Louann at 610.431.0300 x109. for several choice of study tracks, and your choice of small groups.
We look forward to finding treasures together!
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Priceless Creation...
"The heavens declare
the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. Day after
day they pour forth speech; night after night they display knowledge.
There is no speech or language where their voice is not heard.
Their voice goes out into all the earth, their words to the ends of the earth" (Psalm 19:1-4).
Nothing restores my soul more than spending time in nature. I'm always amazed by God's creativity. His creation teaches me so much about Him-His sovereignty, beauty, order, and power. What is more, life's challenges seem to fade amidst the glory of God's handiwork. Humility and praise are my immediate responses.
Consider planning some extended time...an afternoon, early morning ...perhaps even a day with God in nature. Take advantage of a beautiful place close to where you live: a lake, nature center, river walk, beach, park, garden, zoo, cabin, campground, etc. Our outting could be as simple as walking, reflecting, and taking time to pray; or you could reserve a room nearby and plan an extended time of reading in Scripture, or even ask a friend to join you and share in the commitment of time together.
Enjoy God's creation and contemplate His power and beauty. Consider Scriptures that speak of God's handiwork: Genesis 1; Job 38; Psalm 8; Psalm 19; Psalm 23:1-3; Psalm 121; Psalm 124:8; Psalm 139; Isaiah 40:10-15, 21-22, 22-26; John 1:1-14; Colossians 1:15-17.
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Worth their weight in gold...
I have always recognized the value of friendship. Friendships are a gift. True friendship brings that "inexpressible comfort of feeling safe with a person, having neither to weigh thoughts or measure words -- but pouring them out just as they are, chaff and grain together -- certain that a faithful hand will take and sift them--keep what is worth keeping -- and with the breath of kindness blow the rest away." [Dinah Craik]. This type of friendship is priceless. I have learned to truly treasure my friends. They are irreplaceable. What would we have done without friends to help us navigate those growing up years? We need friends to help us walk along in the journey of life. Friends help unsort the jumble of circumstances and mistakes. Friends help add a perspective that we may have missed. Friends allow us to be difficult. They are comfortable being silent with you. They tell you what you honestly need to hear. They are genuine. True friends are worth their weight in gold. I can see the face of God in every encounter in which I have with the friends God gives me. Most of my friends were 'given' to me. Given through circumstances of time and season... college roommates, moms of my daughters' friends, walking partners in the neighborhood... the person I sat next to in my small group. Are you looking for a small group? Join a small group and look for the gold of new friendships:
BIBLE STUDY small groups still enjoy
what makes them meaningful... a diverse and unique blend of women of all ages
and stages in life, sharing together the desire to grow in wisdom through the
study of God's Word. Study groups are led by a leader(s) to help facilitate
group discussion.
LOOPING (optional second year) with your small group will allow
you to deepen the roots of friendship and depth of sharing that you began last
year, when it is practical for schedule and choice of study.
SOUL
PURPOSE (shared leadership and accountability) groups are now
available for any study session and study choice. You can choose this small
group format if you want to be actively commited to going deeper and are looking
for the accountability and discipline this option will offer.
Let's pursue the treasure of friendship together. [Click for more info...] |
 Spirit to Spirit...JOY!
Encouragement by Linda Slavin
...we don't have it (JOY)
until HE has us!
Where in is perfect Joy? Where is it hidden? Where is it found?PSALM 16:11 YOU WILL FILL ME WITH JOY IN YOUR PRESENCE. Joy in the natural is the outpouring of our soul as God's presence fills our heart. Our love for God and His presence should be so great that we do not live with our eyes fixed on the things of this world but with faith that transforms our eyes so we can see as God sees. Changed by faith, filled with joy and provoking the treasure that is inside. Is this why we are called to count it all Joy when we are found in various trials? The the testing of our faith is for us to realize we don't have it ( Joy) until He has us!Joy and Presence abide together and we can not have one without the other. Lets not lose His presence by losing our joy, or miss our joy by not abiding in His presence. They come hand and hand, just like His Hand in ours. PRAYER: Precious Spirit of God penetrate our soul and heart deeply. Take Your Word and purify even deeper so that goldness of fire is what is seen and poured out. Use what you must for the kindling of Your fire. Bring us joy in the midst of Your presence. Zechariah 2:5 "For I , says the Lord will be a wall of fire all around her, and I will be the glory in her midst." |
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