Mining for GemsWhat a brilliant gathering of gems we had for our first days of a new season in Women's Bible Study.
It's never too late to join us, so as we're just starting some terrific studies, now is the time to be in the study of God's Word as we share in mining for GEMS of friendship and connection in small groups [click here for small group choices]
DIAMONDS of truth and wisdom for circumstances we face every day [click here for descriptions of study choices], and JEWELS of peace and purpose in our lives.
REGISTER TODAY.
Questions? call or email Louann Rodgers 610.431.0300 x109
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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. 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.
Has this been a busy season for you? Want to hear a dynamic discussion of wise tips and treasures for reducing clutter and busyness in your life?
Join us for Girls Night Out this month with Kahty Carlin, as she shares her insights with "SIMPLIFY, SIMPLIFY!"
We will meet at the home of Karen Hicks, 914 Kenmara Drive, West Chester at 7:00p.m.
Wednesday evening,
October 29th.
Click here for more info...
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Homeschooling?
Consider joining us for friendship, prayer and support... Join us Monday evening, October 20th "Digital Designs...Capturing School Memories"
Click here for more info.
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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. All classes led by certified instructor, Marj Scott
[more...]
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B R I L L I A N T ! ... encourage another . . .
"We must practice and become brilliant at receiving the love of God and
give it away as quickly as possible, knowing that it is going to come
back to us, deeper, bigger, wider
and stronger." - Graham Cooke
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O C T O B E R B R E E Z E S...
These days of autumn boast some of the most crisp and colorful of any season.
God's gift of brilliant color and majesty is awesome in display during the days of autumn when the breezes of October are not yet biting winds of winter, but are brisk enough to wake our spirits to a new season, new anticipation... to a fresh reflection.
What are the crisp winds of a new season in your spirit calling you to?
- a space of time in your day to find quiet?
- a fresh heart willing to put aside personal control for God's guidance?
- a brisk correction to your priorities?
- a step of forgiveness for someone?
- a renewed joy in simple moments?
Don't miss one blessing promised by the study of God's Word,
Enjoy a few moments of fresh encouragement in reflection & joy,
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E X P E C T the U N E X P E C T E D...
"Beware in your prayers, above everything else, of limiting God, not
only by unbelief, but by fancying that you know what He can do. Expect
unexpected things, 'above all that we ask or think'. Each time, before
you Intercede, be quiet first, and worship God in His glory. Think of
what He can do, and how He delights to hear the prayers of His redeemed
people. Think of your place and privilege in Christ, and expect great
things!"
- Andrew Murray
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P E R S P E C T I V E in T I M E...
the economy
How
can we wisely respond to the current economic crisis?
Remain calm. Economies are cyclical. Even this current crisis
is nothing new. In the 1930's American's thought the economy would never rebound
-- it did. In the 1970's we thought there would always be long gas lines--they
went away and prices fell. In the early 1980's mortgage rates topped at well
over 12% -- later they fell to less than 6%. But there are some practical things we
can do to insulate us from some of the financial pain we might otherwise
experience.
Let's review some of the fundamentals.
1. Pay off your short-term, high-interest debt. Credit
cards and car loans are never fun--but they can spell disaster when you lose
your job. This is the time to cut back on the restaurant meals, movies, $5 cups
of coffee, and resort vacations. This is the time to get all the over-time work
and second jobs you can find. Cut costs and make extra money--and quickly reduce
the debt. One day you may be VERY glad you did.
2. Get a raise in thirty days. Do a thirty-day spending
journal where you list literally every dime you spend--on everything you
buy. Then, at the end of those thirty days take a yellow highlighter and mark
everything you bought that you didn't have to buy. That's how much of a raise
you can give yourself starting the next month. You may be stunned at how much is
being wasted.
3. Defer gratification. This is when we start saying "no" to
ourselves. If we don't need it--we don't buy it. By the way, this can be an
invaluable lesson for the kids.
4. Stop "drugging yourself." Many who might be
critical of others who become drunk or drug dependant think nothing of their own
drug of choice. When life's pressures close in and the bills start to stack up, perhaps we head to the mall with our credit cards to anesthetize our own pain. We would do well to remember Who called us. In Matthew, Jesus told us
not to store up treasures in this world where they come and go so
quickly. Later, in I Timothy 6, Paul warns Christians not to trust in their
financial wealth that is so easily lost. Instead, as Kingdom citizens, we know
that our wealth is on the other side.
Joy is based in finding contentment in the
things God gives us; and being free of the unending lust for more and more
stuff.
- Steve Diggs, "No Sweat, No Debt!"
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 Spirit to Spirit...
HOPE encouragement
by Linda Slavin
Hope, an unseen treasure...the importance of developing our lives in the truth of God's Word in growing our faith.
"Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not
see.
Without hope faith has nothing to give substance to." - Hebrews 11:1
Hope creates while faith sustains. Without hope faith has nothing to give substance to. Faith needs hope in
order to work effectively. Hope sees the
future while faith sees today. I need to live in a new hope everyday,
the hope of what the future will bring.
Our true substance of hope lies in our faith. And we can rest assured that
this hope will not disappoint, for we have this hope as an anchor for the soul,
firm, and secure.
Without proven persistence in the Word of God, you will never know
the proof or experience of the Power of God inside you to perform His promises. The truth of God's Word brings you confident hope and assurance of His promises. The unseen hand of God is at
work in you and has planted a hope in your heart that anchors your life. Hope is not in things that are past but things that are yet
to be seen.
Lets set our eyes on the Lord instead of living in the hope of the past or even the hope of what we have known,
let us give Him a new opportunity to renew us to the hope the future will bring.
Do not be afraid of the future, allow your faith to sustain you and believe.
"May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him,
so
that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit."
- Romans
15:13
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P U M P K I N
P A R A B L E
pumpkins are a favorite symbol of autumn...
"God
takes out all the messy, slimy parts of us. God lifts us up, take us in, and
washes all the dirt off..." enjoy a themed parable by Liz Curtis
Higgs.
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| eGarden Post ... spiritual encouragement and connections for women
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
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Upcoming Events
SWIMMING UPSTREAM... Parenting in Today's Culture. Join us for worship and also choose from several Break-out Sessions on a wide variety of parenting topics. Services 9:00am and 10:30am
Click here for directions/info...
WOMEN'S BIBLE STUDY CONTINUES:
We meet weekly: Tuesdays, 7-9pm ~~ Wednesdays, 9:15-11:15am ~~ Thursdays, 9:15-11:15am
Click here for registration/info...
SIMPLIFY, SIMPLIFY.. Girls Night Out Wednesday October 29th at the home of Karen Hicks, 7:00p.m. Join us as we hear from Kathy Carlin on practical tips for simplying your everyday life...so you have time for more of what matters most.
Click here for more information....
HOLIDAY WRAPPINGS...Girls Night Out Wednesday, November 19th at the home of Pat Bollinger, 7:00p.m. Join us as we learn the best of bow-making from Leah Goebel and enjoy a discussion of terrific holiday traditions.
Click here for more information...
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T H A N K F U L... for Girlfriends!
Time passes. Life happens.
Distance
separates.
Children grow up.
Jobs come and go.
Love
waxes and wanes.
Men don't do what they're supposed to
do.
Hearts
break.
Parents
die.
Colleagues forget
favors. Careers
end.
BUT....
Sisters are
there,
no matter how much time and
how many miles are between
you.
A girl friend is never farther
away than needing her can
reach.
When you have to walk that lonesome valley and
you have to walk it by yourself, the women in your
life will be on the valley's rim, cheering you
on, praying for you, pulling for you, intervening
on
your behalf, and waiting with open arms at
the valley's end.
Sometimes, they will even break the rules and walk
beside you...Or come in and carry you out.
Girlfriends,
daughters, granddaughters,
daughters-in-law, sisters,
sisters-in-law, Mothers,
Grandmothers, aunties, nieces,
cousins, and extended family,
all bless our
life!
The world wouldn't be the same without women,
and neither would I.
When we began this adventure
called womanhood,
we had no idea of the incredible joys
or
sorrows that lay ahead.
Nor did we know how much
we would need each other.
Every day, we need each other
still.[unknowln author]
October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month... encourage a friend to get her mammogram, call someone who is important to you today.
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