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S T R E N G T H
Join us for the climb...
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Join us for Women's Bible study as we build strength for wise living in the climb of life --
Meeting Weekly:
Tuesdays, 7-9pm Wednesday and Thursday mornings, 9:15-11:15am [childcare available]
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Hillsong United - You Are My Strength - With Subtitles/Lyric
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The holidays are just around the corner...
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"Whatever you do for the least of these one of these, you do for Me..."
- Matthew 25:40
CHRISTMAS FROM THE HEART ...extending Christmas to our community with hands on service
We are mobilizing over 600 women in hands on service with 15 different organizations across Chester County. We will be going into the community in a wide range of efforts, sharing resources, support, and hands on service:
Nov 29th-30th-Dec 1st
Dec 6th - 7th - 8th We are putting into action what we study each week in God's Word.ALL women are welcome to join us!
Sign Ups begin this week. Childcare provided.
Questions?
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G R A T I T U D E
We all know we don't need the month of November and the Thanksgiving holiday to remind us to be thankful for the many blessings we share.
But we do forget - we rush through busy days and cut short those closest to us. We are impatient and intolerant, picky or just plain selfish.
We forget to verbalize the grace that has been extended, and we struggle to find words or creative expressions of ourselves toward others.
LET'S BE THANKFUL.
Let's be uncommon women who are bold in extending grace, hearts of gratitude and generosity each and every day.
"This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it."
- Psalm 118:24
"And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him."
- Colossians 3:17 "I do not cease to give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers." - Ephesians 1:16
"And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful."
- Colossians 3:15
"Therefore let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and thus let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe,"
- Hebrews 12:28
"Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever."
-Psalm 136:1
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"Gratitude can transform common days into thanksgivings, turn routine jobs into joy, and change ordinary opportunities into blessings."
- William Arthur Ward
"If the only prayer you say in your life is thank you, that would suffice."
- Meister Eckhart
"God gave you a gift of 86,400 seconds today. Have you used one to say "thank you?"
- William A. Ward
"Grace isn't a little prayer you chant before receiving a meal.
It's a way to live."
- Jackie Windspear
"Gratitude consists of being more aware of what you have,
than what you don't."
- Unknown
"Thanksgiving to God is an exuberant response to giving me HIS everything . . . by giving Him MY everything"
- Martha Kilpatrick
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STRENGTH in the quiet...
"The soul space of the heart is created when we place ourselves in God's hands and trust that He will complete the work of renewal."
-B.Grey, Faith Barista
"The Lord confides in those who fear Him; he makes his covenant known to them."
- Psalm 25:14
Our hearts were created for relationship. When we are vulnerable, our souls exhale. Silence - Solitude - Space in time... we were created to enjoy it with God. When we carry ourselves - as is - into His embrace, we find that Jesus simply welcomes us to come. He'll take care of the rest.
Consider these hindrances to finding the quiet with God...
- Time Minimum. I must spend X minutes with God in order for it to count.
- Procrastination Disqualifier. If I've procrastinated x number of hours (days or weeks), God is already disappointed.
- White Glove Test. My house (or fill in the blank) needs to be cleaner and neater. How can I get spiritually in tune with God when my room is a mess.
- Goal-Oriented Perfectionism. I must stick with "the plan" to prove my devotion to God. (fill in whatever Bible reading/prayer program to complete)
- Nostalgia. I've always done things "this way". To tailor time with God to meet my current life circumstances would not be beautiful or soul-changing.
When we put rules on how God can connect with us, we forget we are in a relationship with a God who woos and desires us. We miss out on the opportunities to steal moments of intimacy and refreshment with Jesus - during the times we need it most.
Embrace these encouragements to enjoy time with Him...
HIS Grace - HIS Love - HIS Favor - HIS Hope and Joy... and the blessings and promises of Faith!
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"...we must simplify our lives or lose untold treasures on earth and in eternity. Modern culture is so complex as to make the devotional life all but impossible. The need to find solitude and quietness was never greater than it is today." [AW Tozer]
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STRENGTH in Serving...
"We don't serve God to gain His acceptance. We are accepted, so we serve God. We don't follow Him in order to be loved; we love Him, and so we follow Him."
- Neil Anderson
Serving in the way God intended us to serve is an expression of His love in us. We become His hands and feet, our hearts surrendered to the needs of others because of Christs' love that pours through us. "I have given you an example to follow, do as I have done to you, Jesus said." Jn 13:15. Jesus had washed the feet of the disciples and knelt before his friends in service. Like that simple but profound example, we are sometimes called to humble positions. We are sometimes asked to wait when we want to rush... to sacrifice our time... to serve the difficult... to surrender our comfort, our resources, our earthly treasures.
Am I willing to deny myself just a bit more than I really want to? Am I willing to surrender my ambitions and interests for the interests of God for others? Am I willing to incline myself to God's heartbeat?
It's difficult to reconcile the gospel without the willingness to allow God's call on our lives. Saint Francis of Assisi said it this way, "Start doing what's necessary, then do what's possible, and suddenly you are doing the impossible."
Isn't that really what we want?
Don't we want to do the impossible in the name of God?
We pray that God will expand our borders and invite Him to interrupt our lives... we just don't expect Him to do it -- but when He does, it is unmistakable, and it demands a step of faith that is life changing. It's a step first made in a humble position, knees bent and perhaps a bit messy.
That's a step we don't want to miss.
"Do all the good you can - By all the means you can - In all the ways you can - In all the places you can - At all the times you can - To all the people you can - as long as ever you can. " John Wesley
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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.
This month brings Thanksgiving and I am moved to express my gratitude for each of you.
I love how God puts others in our lives... to encourage us, to challenge us, to inspire us, and to help grow us. The Body of Christ is a beautiful thing, especially when it is moving... and you ladies, you like to move! Thank you for sharing your hearts in meaningful study of God's Word, in service alongside God's people, and in friendship in God's name.
I welcome the opportunity to connect with you personally, 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
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The Women's Ministry of Christ Community Church is here to help you grow spiritually in your relationship with God and to connect purposefully
with others in friendship. ||Women's Ministry||Christ Community Church|| 1190 Phoenixville Pike|| West Chester PA 19380|| 610.431.0300x109|| www.RootedToGrow.com 
"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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