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Sit Down Your Soul and Listen
Heart of the hurried one,
listen to Me
Open your inner eyes,
what do you see?
Sit your soul down today,
hear what I have to say,
Heart of the hurried one,
listen to Me.
Heart of the worried one,
come to My Throne
Read My Words in My book,
then make them known.
Lay down your heavy care,
more than a mind can bear,
Heart of the puzzled one,
come to My Throne.
Heart of the harried one,
rest in My grace,
Bring your confusion,
slow down your pace.
Take time to look above,
revel in My quiet love,
Heart of the harried one,
come to this place.
[Jill Briscoe, Just Between Us, Winter, 2008]
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 Today we celebrate a holiday that is uniquely American, Thanksgiving. Every year, our President calls this country to prayer and thanksgiving for the blessings we as a nation have enjoyed.
But to Christians, every day should be a time for personal reflection, prayer and adoration for a God who is sovereign and actively involved in our lives. Yet we run through busy days, and we are distracted by the cares and ambitions of this world.
Can we pause daily to reflect and give thanks? Can we be women who are filled with grace and gratitude? |
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Embracing Gratitude (article)...
Be Thankful (Josh Groban) YouTube...
Download PDF for 100 Reasons to be Thankful (Scripture)...
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| Thank You for Sharing & Praying... |
Thank you for the ongoing prayers for adoption needs right here in PA. Over $600 was donated in the home-banks... your change, coins and extra bills will be used to support ongoing placement needs thru Bethany Christian Services.
Please continue praying for the children we highlighted during November... Bryanna, Jehsus, Ray, Christian, and James.
Click HERE for more information.
What can you do now?
Continue to PRAY
Continue to GIVE go to www.bethany.org
Prayerfully ask God for direction to ADOPT
"...God sets the lonely in families..."
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Christmas Jewels... brilliant reflections of the heart of Christmas
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All are welcome to join us ... this is a FREE holiday gathering just for women. Join us for a festive buffet (or brunch), special music, and a time of inspiration and spiritual encouragement.
 Christmas Jewels...
brilliant reflections of the heart of Christmas
Tuesday, December 9th
Festive Buffet, 7:00-9:00pm
Wednesday, December 10th,
Holiday Brunch, 9:15-11:15am
Thursday, December 11th,
Holiday Brunch, 9:15-11:15am
Bring a friend and enjoy,
~ worship ~ celebration ~
~ inspiration ~ friendship ~
joy!
We are delighted to welcome two special guest artists for our celebrations...
Featuring Emory Colvin, founder and principal performer of Dramatic Encounters, presenting interpretive drama and moving  perspectives of the Christmas Scriptures, and an inspiring presentation of the Glory that came down at Christmas... the treasure of God incarnate, to dwell among us.
Sharing in worship will be our own Lee Anne Tobin, worship leader with YWAM. Lee Anne and her husband Tobin are in full time ministry, preparing to return to Hungary for their work running the Coffee House ministry in Budapest.
"When they saw the star, they were overjoyed... they saw the child ... and they bowed down and worshipped him..." - Matthew 2:10
Come, bring a friend & share the brilliant reflections!
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A Very Merry Christmas - FREE Family Event
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Friday, December 12th 7-8:30pm
Register now for this fabulous evening (it's free!) designed for the entire family. This is a terrific time to invite friends to share in the celebration of the season together with crafts, games, a live nativity, caroling... all appropriate for families with preschool and elementary aged children.
To Register, call the church office (610.431.0300), go online at www.visitchristcommunity.com, or sign-up on Sunday in the Main Lobby.
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| Happy Thanksgiving |
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I thanked God for you today. I am blessed to know so many of you and am privileged to see so many connected, caring for one another, sharing gifts and talents, and encouraging those God has placed in our lives...
God's Word teaches us that thankfulness should be a way of life. Cultivating a thankful heart will result in speaking thankful words. Take a moment today to call or write a note to someone in your life to express how thankful you are for them. |
"...for in everything, give thanks with a grateful heart." - Eph 5:20
Thanksgiving Blessings!
Louann Rodgers, Director Women's Ministry, Christ Community Church
610.431.0300 x109 ~ www.RootedToGrow.com
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| Harvest Granola
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Preheat Oven: 325 degrees
Mix in large container:
4 cups rolled oates
2 cups sweetened shredded coconut
2 cups whole saltd almonds
1 cup slivered almonds
1/2 cup cashews (optional)
3/4 cup vegetable or canola oil
1/2 cup honey (warm)
Spread mix onto cookie sheet and bake until golden brown, approximately 20-25 minutes. Remove and cool.
Add dried fruit (raisins, craisins, apricots, dried apples, cherries, dates). Store in an airtight container. Enjoy! |
| This delightful recipe was from the kitchen of Deb Thistle! | |
Women's Ministry, Christ Community Church
1190 Phoenixville Pike, West Chester, PA 19380
610.431.0300 x109 ~ www.RootedToGrow.com
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Gratitude...
"Gratitude
unlocks the fullness of life.
It turns what we have into enough, and more. It turns
denial into acceptance, chaos to order, confusion to clarity. It can turn a
meal into a feast, a house into a home, a stranger into a friend. Gratitude
makes sense of our past, brings peace for today, and creates a vision for
tomorrow."
-- Melody Beattie
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12 Steps to Change Your Prayer Life
[by Jennifer Kennedy Dean]
1. "The king's heart is in the hand of the LORD; he directs it like a watercourse wherever he pleases." (Prov. 21:1)
If your thoughts wander during your prayer time, instead of trying to force them back into your pre-set agenda, try following them. Perhaps the Lord has another agenda.
2. "But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen." (Matt. 6:5-6).
Set a time for daily prayer. Consider it an unbreakable commitment. Keep your set appointment every day for one week. For one solid week, let your scheduled prayer time be the centerpiece of your day: arrange everything else to fit around it.
3. "Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed." (Mark 1:35)
Give God the first fruits of your day. For one week, give the very first 30 minutes of your day to prayer.
4. "But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed." (Luke 5:16)
Find a place in your home where you can be alone and undistracted during your prayer time. Keep your Bible, prayer journal, pen, and whatever tools you use in that place so that everything is ready. During your prayer time each day, this is a sacred place.
5. "I saw the Lord seated on a throne, high and exalted, and the train of his robe filled the temple." (Isaiah. 6:1)
As you start your prayer time, before you say anything, let your mind's eye see Him, high and exalted, and yourself in a position of worship before Him. Stay in that inner posture until His glory fills your thoughts as the train of His robe fills the temple.
6. "But Jesus said, 'Someone touched me; I know that power has gone out from me.'" (Luke 8:46)
Take time to become truly alive to His presence with you. Be aware that as you touch Him through prayer, His power is released into your life.
7. "O my people, hear my teaching; listen to the words of my mouth." (Psalm 78:1)
Read your Bible this morning with the awareness that you are listening to the words of His mouth. Stop at the first word, phrase, or thought that captures your attention and let the Father speak to you about it and let it shape your prayers.
8. "We are the clay, you are the potter; we are all the work of your hand." (Isa. 64:8)
Instead of focusing on what you want God to do for you, focus on allowing Him to shape your desires until they match His. Accept each situation in your life as His hand shaping your thoughts, character, and longings.
9. "Not my will, but yours be done." (Luke 22:42)
This week, let these words be the only prayer you pray about situations that confront you. Focus on relinquishing every situation to Him to be a platform for His power.
10. "I will remember the deeds of the LORD." (Psalm 77:11)
This week, try writing out your prayers. It will help you stay focused and will create a record of God's work in your life.
11. "My tongue will speak of your righteousness and of your praises all day long." (Psalm 35:28)
This week, practice praying out loud during your private prayer time. It will make your prayer experience more concrete and will help you keep your mind focused.
12. "Fix these words of mine in your hearts and minds; ...talking about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up." (Deut. 11:18-20)
This week, try walking as you pray. Walk through your neighborhood or around your yard. You will be more able to keep your mind open to new thoughts the Lord might introduce. You are likely to find yourself spending more time with Him! |
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