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Autumn begins with a subtle change in the
light, with skies a deeper blue, and nights that become suddenly clear and chilled.
[Glenn Weiss]
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| Soul Question
| It's not hard to decide what you want your
life to be about.
What's hard is figuring out what you're willing to
give up in order to do the things you really care about.
-Shauna
Niequist, Bittersweet
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| | Grace Defined | Grace isn't about
having a second chance; grace is having so many chances that you could use them
through all eternity and never come up empty. It's when you finally realize
that the other shoe isn't going to drop, ever. It's the moment you feel as
precious and handmade as every star, when you feel, finally, at home for the
very first time.
Grace is
when you finally stop keeping score and when you realize that God never was,
that his game is a different one entirely. Grace is when the silence is so
complete that you can hear your own heartbeat, and right within your ribs,
God's beating heart, too.
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NO CALLS DROPPED
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Ever wonder what would happen if we treated our Bible like we treat our cell phone?
What if we carried it around in our purses or pockets?
What if we flipped through it several times a day?
What if we turned back to get it if we forgot it?
What if we used it to receive messages from the text?
What if we acted like we couldn't live without it?
What if we used it when we traveled?
What if we used it in case of emergency?
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Unlike our cell phone, we don't have to worry about our Bible being disconnected because Jesus already paid the bill.
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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 connect with you and want to hear from you. Give
me a call or email me any time... a difficult question, spiritual concern, fresh idea or suggestion, perhaps a great book to
recommend or insight to ponder... anything at all, I'd love to connect.
Louann Rodgers 610.431.0300x109 LKRodgers@comcast.net
Women's Ministry, Christ Community Church www.RootedToGrow.com
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 I'd like to invite you to join us in a pursuit of rest.An uncommon request in a world where schedules demand, information overloads and pressures of to-do lists overwhelm us. We come into a new season with anticipation, excitement and... perhaps a bit of a frenzy. But we need to rest.
God's Word tells us in Matthew, "Learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble, and you will have rest for your soul."
That seems kind of extravagant.... Resting. Finding solitude. Purposeful stillness.
Our hearts and souls were designed for a pattern of rest that is sober, intentional and satisfying. A rest of the spirit to quiet and refresh the soul. A rest that equips and prepares. A place of strength.
It does not escape me that we have been in a season of turmoil. Friends in crisis, women with tragedy, illness, grief and loss. Life interrupts in a way that we never expect. In the midst of chaos, concern, confusion, and even crisis, you can find rest in one place - in the truth of God's Word and in God Himself. "Learning
to rest in God means resting not only in who God is, but in what He has
done and what He will do. As you deepen your relationship with God, you
can't help but discover rest for your soul." - Margaret Fineberg
Rest is not a common message in a hi-tech world of iPad connections and txt messaging. We chronicle the moments of our lives on online networks and multitask constantly. I struggle with the demands that never quiet.
Resting requires purpose. Rest demands a turn from the world at our door and a gaze in a higher direction. That's definitely uncommon.
So let's do the uncommon thing to pursue rest. In
pursuing rest we will find more of the God who designed us for a
pattern of rest... more of Himself, more of His Truth, more of His
presence in our lives.
Let's be women who are equipped for the things that life will bring, not because we are studied and well organized... but because we have found rest in a source greater that we can understand.
Our spirits long for it, we know we need it... so let's together seek REST.
"I have set the Lord continually before me...because He is at my right hand, I will not be shaken." Psalm 16:8
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Women's Bible study begins September 28-29-30Meeting Tuesdays - Wednesdays - ThursdaysChildcare is available.All women are welcome!
Download study descriptions (flyer)
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F r i e n d s h i p
 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 us sort out 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.
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... Friends share in the laughter, help us get through tears, and mostly hold us up when life brings us down.
Here are 5 ways to build friendships: PRAY. Pray for wise friendship. Pray for your friends. Pray with your friends. Prayer brings a bond of friendship like no other. "Where two or more are gathered in My Name, I am with them." Matthew 18:20
BE PURPOSEFUL. Friendships take a commitment of time and purpose. God's Word instructs us to care for 'one-another' in many distinct ways. I have friend who likes to walk - during our walks the deep thing s of life are covered across streets and sidewalks. A good cup of tea or an early morning breakfast motivates me to spend more time. A handwritten note brings great encouragement, or even, today... a text! Be creative - be purposeful.
JOIN A SMALL GROUP. Small groups help us pursue wisdom.  They give us the blessing of
shared insights. Small groups give us a place to belong, to connect personally, sometimes intimately, as the truth of God's Word reminds us that we all need more of God in our lives - that we are not alone in this effort.
We need that purpose of friendship that draws us into a safe place and points us to God. "Two are better than one... if one falls down, the other helps [her] up..." - Ecclesiastes 4:9
 EXERCISE TOGETHER. Body & Soul is starting up this month!
Studies show that sharing in exercise with a friend brings greater accountability and commitment. It certainly helps motivate us through the sweat!. and discipline this option will offer.
 SHARE A HOBBY. Friendships bring color to a world of black and white, new sound to an otherwise regular tune. Sharing a hobby or common interest deepens the joy of that passion and brings a unique tie to your friendship. We have Knit Together - meeting Wednesday evenings, for connection and sharing and knitting... together!
Let's pursue the treasure of friendship together!
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Back to School? Take this Quiz.
by Max Lucado
- Name the ten wealthiest men in the world.
- Name the last ten Heisman trophy winners.
- Name the last ten winners of the Miss America contest.
- Name eight people who have won the Nobel or Pulitzer prize.
- How about the last ten Academy Award winners for best picture or the last decade's worth of World Series winners?
How did you do? Surprising how quickly we forget, isn't it? And what I've mentioned above are no second-rate achievements. These are the best in their fields. But the applause dies. Awards tarnish. Achievements are forgotten. Accolades and certificates are buried with their owners.
Here's another quiz. See how you do on this one.
- Think of three people you enjoy spending time with.
- Name ten people who have taught you something significant.
- Name five friends who have helped you in a difficult time.
- Name a teacher who aided your journey through school.
- Name half-a-dozen heroes whose stories have inspired you.
Easier? It was for me, too. The lesson? The people who make a difference are not the ones with the credentials, but the ones with the concern.
Who can you encourage today? Who needs a phone call from you? Do you need to reach out to restore a broken relationship?
What resources do you have that a friend could use?
Where can you fill a need for a friend? Call one of your friends today and thank them for the gift of friendship!
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NEW
this Year
| This year's Women's Bible Study has somenew things we want to be sure you don't miss...
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. This group will study the Knowing God series of three short studies on prayer, fear & the Holy Spirit.
Senior Ladies: 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. 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 is not really new this year, but a reminder of a different type off small group (offered all three days of study)! 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.
| | Download a description of our Bible Study programs...
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