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Solitude in Summer...
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 As the the center month of summer July said it's goodbye and the lingering, sultry, hot, slow days of August arrive, I take a quick breath.
August means September is not far behind. Another quick breath... I am reminded always of the constant pulse of seasons and change in our lives. I hear the increasing noise of busy days. I anticipate schedules and commitments.
Yet my heart is calling for a pause. My spirit is stirring and longs for the solitude. My prayers increasingly return to passages that draw me to the heart of God. I want to linger, to saturate, to listen.
So I'm seeking silence. Solitude in summer. A place of quiet surrender to the tasks that sometimes overwhelm me. I want to linger, to saturate, to listen.
James 4:8 says"Come near to God and He will come near to you." We need God's nearness. We need His counsel. We need His Word.
The water of God's Word keeps us soft and receptive, just as the soil in our summer gardens thirst for watering under the blistering heat. The soil of our soul needs refreshment so that God can counsel us, use us, and ultimately, speak through us to those God has placed in our lives. Can I hear Him speak? Will I linger to listen to His counsel?
Ruth Haley Barton shares about solitude so tenderly,
"It is a place where I can give myself with abandon to the lover of my soul, knowing that I am completely safe from anyone's curious gaze or judgmental glance. Silence deepens our solitude... it creates a space for listening to the knowings that go beyond words, and feeling no pressure at all to put the depths of the human soul into words. We enter into solitude and silence on the basis of our desire for God."
My efforts to find solitude may look different-my efforts may not be so eloquent, they may be clumsy or a bit awkward at first, but they are persistent. I know I need to persist because the noise of life gets louder and will draw me away if I do not. I know I need to persist because I know I need it more. I know I need to persist because I want more of God's voice and counsel.
I need to persist in seeking solitude because I want to be near to the heart of God when life interrupts.
Last week a dear friend had life interrupt when her oldest son was killed from a tragic fall. In one moment an shocking, grief filled, unexpected end to a family hike. As we wept and prayed together I saw an inner strength that came from the resources of her soul, her heart for You. And in the tender moments when we shared Scripture, the place of healing and assurance. The well was deep, well watered, rich from trust in God's Word. God reminded us of His assurance and strength... Psalms 16:8 says this clearly, "I have set The Lord before me. Because he is at my right hand, I will not be shaken."
So I will persist in solitude.
Linger in quiet like the slow August days of summer. Look for places of solitude, silence with God. Look into His word. Listen for His counsel. Put Him before you, and you will not be shaken.
"The LORD is near to all who call on him,
to all who call on him in truth." [Psalm 145:18]
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Refreshing Conversations ...
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 The writer of the Proverbs frequently compares our words to a fountain. When we have had an uplifting conversation with someone, we are as refreshed as though we had a drink of sparkling water from a spring.
"The mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life..." Proverbs 10:11 "The mouth of the righteous brings forth wisdom..." Proverbs 10:31 Refreshing conversation is appropriate to the occasion: The lips of the righteous know what is fitting (10:32). Later he repeats this comment in another fashion: The tongue of the wise commends knowledge (15:2). The New King James Version translates commend as uses knowledge rightly. What a gift it would be to always say the right thing at the right time. The Proverbs writer helps us toward that goal. Refreshing conversation is thoughtful of others. The heart of the righteous weighs its answers (15:28). The wise not only guard their heart, but also their tongue, to keep from muddying the waters of the conversation fountain: He who guards his mouth and his tongue keeps himself from calamity (21:23). Considering others before we speak will keep us from wishing we had bitten our tongue after we have spoken. Refreshing conversation is uplifting to others. When the heart and mouth are guarded, the conversation benefits the listeners: A wise man's heart guides his mouth, and his lips promote instruction (16:23).This is possible because Wise men store up knowledge (10:14). The result is beneficial not only to the listeners but also to the whole of society: Through the blessing of the upright a city is exalted, but by the mouth of the wicked it is destroyed (11:11). When these words sink into our hearts, we join the psalmist in praying, "Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer." (Psalm 19:14)
[source: Peggy Musgrove]
Who can you encourage today?
Who should you call to reconnect with?
Who needs to hear some words of truth?
Who needs to be uplifted?
Where do you need to spread some refreshment?
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Refreshing Friendships ...
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 Friendship is a gift.
Friends share in the laughter, hold us up through tears, and mostly point us to God.
Friends hold us up when life brings us down.
Friends are among life's greatest treasures.
William Wilberforce, a member of the English Parliament in 1801 and leader of the anti-slavery forces in the British Empire, experienced a much written about spiritual crisis. In one of his writings, he comments on one of the great secrets of his personal life -- his commitment to regular withdrawals from the scramble of public life so that he could:
1. engage in worship,
2. connect with a small circle of close friends, and
3. pursue quiet reflection.
We need that purpose of friendship that draws us into a safe place and points us to God.
All friendships need cultivating. Sometimes, we make mistakes, we overstep our intentions, we cause hurt. Let's extend grace and be gracious.
" In the presence of close friends, we laugh about what drove us crazy just minutes before. We cry without shame, knowing we will be understood." [A Circle of Friends]
"Two are better than one, and have good return for their work... if one falls down, the other helps [her] up..." - Eccl 4:19
What friend needs to hear from you today?
Who can you extend grace to right now?
What friend should you invite to join you in Bible Study?
Who needs to be uplifted?
Where do you need to share the refreshment of friendship?
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New Refreshment in Bible Study ...
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 Every time we are in God's Word He seeks to refresh us. Committing time in our schedules to be in His Word is an act of obedience. God honors the desires of our heart when we pursue Him. This year's Women's Bible Study has some new things we want to be sure you don't miss. Here are a few of unique things we offer (a few are just reminders) and the rest are new this year... Young Moms Group: offered on Thursday mornings, this group is designed to be a place of rest for moms with children age 5 and under. The group will be led by two moms who are just a little further along in the motherhood journey, Tricia Allen and Lesley Hoey. This group will study the Knowing God series of three short studies on prayer, fear & the Holy Spirit. Senior Ladies Group: offered on Thursday mornings, this is an affinity group for some of our senior women who desire the companionship during this season in life...this year this group is studying The Truth Project. The Truth Project: this challenging study of knowing and defending the Biblical worldview has been developed by Focus on the Family and has it's own web-link if you want to read more about it [www.thetruthproject.org]. Taught in a college seminar setting, this mind stretching study will look at history, creation & evolution, anthropology, world governments, culture, and more. We are offering this study track during all three days of study. Soul Purpose: this type off small group (offered all three days of study) is an opportunity to grow in study skills and leadership. Soul purpose groups are smaller groups whose members commit to sharing the leadership of the group (rotate facilitating and leading week to week). Soul Purpose keeps you accountable with homework, attendance and participation. Perhaps this year is time for you to step into soul purpose! Kids Club Care: both our Wednesday and Thursday morning sessions offer childcare infants thru Kindergarten. NEW this year is twice a year care fee payments (rather than weekly), set up to offer you twice a year payments at a discount. The first payment will be due at the start of study and the second payment is due by the end of January. We provide consistent teaching teams in each of our classrooms -- our teachers get to know your children! We are so blessed to have such a committed and experienced team of teachers.CLICK HERE to download a description of our study track choices...CLICK HERE to review our small group choice offerings... |
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| Welcome! |  |
Have you enjoyed these days of summer?
The change in routine and summer travels brings the unexpected joy of new experiences, adventures, friendship and perhaps... a change in that stirs us up, demands an adjustment, a fresh perspective?
Don't let summer changes distract you from finding quiet moments with God.
Take advantage of the early morning quiet, or a few afternoon moments in your garden. Be sure to enjoy the uniqueness of this season of light, color, heat and reflection. Wherever summer travels take you, know that God will use you in unexpected ways... let Him guide you, and take time to listen.
Know that you are in my prayers!
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The Garden Post is designed to share news, connections and information specifically for women, offer spiritual encouragement and insight, and provide resources for wise living.
I welcome the opportunity to conn ect with you and want to hear from you.
Give me a call or Email me any time with anything... a difficult question, spiritual concern, fresh idea or suggestion, perhaps a great book to recommend or insight to ponder... anything at all, really!
lkrodgers@comcast.net
610.431.0300x109
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Circle of Friends
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Sharing together in a small group is a remarkable experience.
Shared insights and Biblical truths discussed, challenged and understood offers an uncommon conversation in a world of frivolous pursuits and worry.
Are you looking for a study friend or small group?
Join us in a choice of 4 dynamic study choices -- all offered in your choice of 3 sessions each week:
Tuesday Evenings, 7:00-9:00pm
[Same time as Jr. High Youth]
Wednesday Mornings, 9:15-11:15am
Infant care -- Kindergarten
Thursday Mornings, 9:15-11:15am
Infant care -- Kindergarten
REGISTER NOW
to help us plan.
[Download study track descriptions here].
Questions? call 610.431.0300x109 or email women@rootedtogrow.com
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Kids Club Calling
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Kids Club...
a fun place to be
Kids Club is an integrated morning of friendship and fun learning, offered to moms who are in Women's Bible Study on Wednesday & Thursday mornings.
Our program is led by some very talented, gifted, and experienced coordinators, and staffed by an amazing teaching team, committed to serve the entire year, growing in love and care of your children.
Jen Moyer directs our Wednesday morning program. Jen is the wife of Brian, and a mother of two. Jen is an educator with experience in designing preschool programs. Her heart for children is unmistakeable as she has developed the WOW curriculum from its beginnings seven years ago - a themed, station based program. Jen and her team do worship and music with sign language, themed Crafts and snacks and character drama for story-time.
Janet Battaglia directs our Thursday morning program. Janet is a mom to two sons and grandmother to four boys and two girls who are always a source of delight to her. She has been married to Mike for more than 40 years. [And her hidden secret is that Mike helps her with Kids Club set up every week!] Janet taught 1st grade for three years and preschool for 25 years. She is creative, energetic and gifted with a love for teaching and caring for our dedicated teaching team.
We also offer a Bible-based home school program (grades 1-12) on Wednesdays that includes Bible teaching and an enhanced curriculum based classes of Bible, Multimedia arts, and gym. Melissa Behm directs this program with a talented team of teachers. Melissa is wife of Mark and a home schooling mother of four. She designed the program from its inception seven years ago. Melissa has a law degree, but has clearly been called by God to serve in her home. Melissa's leadership has blessed our Wednesday morning program.
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Kids Club is offered in conjunction with Women's Bible Study. There is a $10 registration/per child.
Click here to learn more:
www.rootedtogrow.com
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