Small Group Tonight!

Just a reminder, we will continue our study of the Christmas story tonight (Sunday) at 7pm. Tonight we will be taking a deeper look into Joseph's role....I am super excited and I hope you are too!!!  Tricia will be providing snacks for us (Thank You Tricia!!!).   If you need directions to my house or have questions, feel free to call or text me (260) 703-0021

Blessing!
~Stacy

Are You a Servant of the Lord?

"My Soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in god my Savior, for He has been mindful of the humble state of His servant” (Luke 1:46-48)

Reflecting back on Sunday's video presentation of Mary, I am awe-struck at her humility and willingness to be a “servant of the Lord”.  As we discussed on Sunday, even when we know God is calling us or leading us in a direction, it can be hard to simply say “I am a servant of the Lord” and do or go as He commands.  As I shared on Sunday, I felt the calling to lead a small group a year ago, and I partially said “I am a servant of the Lord”.  I said “ok” at the time, talked to Pastor Mark, prayed, read, asked for direction, bought several small group study kits/books…..and then did nothing but make excuses.   I went through the motions, but I allowed fear of failure to keep me from following through.  I was NOT a servant of the Lord.  

So, I was left asking myself “What have I learn from Mary about leading a small group”?  

First, she was a humble servant.  She delighted herself in her relationship with God.  In Luke 1:46-47, Mary said “My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior”.  This is where Godly leadership starts.  Mary exemplified for Jesus what a relationship with God looked like.  In scripture, Jesus often withdrew to solitary places to spend time with his Father…and so should we!

Secondly, Mary knew who and WHOSE she was.  Mary said with humble confidence “I am the Lord’s servant”.  Godly leaders know their identity in Christ, so they don’t have to try to be something they’re not; they can be authentic.

Third, Mary was called and responded in obedience to her calling. In Luke 1:38 Mary stated, “May it be to me as you have said.”  Leadership is a calling by God, not just a recruiting by a church minister or volunteer.  Responding to God’s call rather than initiating ministry out of your own aspirations makes all the difference!

I WANT to be more like Mary.  I want to be humble.  I WANT TO BE A SERVANT OF THE LORD!

I would love to hear your thoughts on this past week’s study or how you have been a “servant of the Lord”.   As promised, I have included the prayer I shared with you Sunday night.

Blessing!
~Stacy

Christmas Experience Small Group Tonight!

Just a reminder, we will continue our study of the Christmas story tonight (Sunday) at 7pm. Tonight we will be taking a deeper look into Mary's role....I am super excited and I hope you are too!!!  Debbie will be providing snacks for us (Thank You Debbie!!!) but feel free to bring your drinks (I only have bottle water).   If you need directions to my house or have questions, feel free to call or text me (260) 703-0021

Blessing!
~Stacy

The 12 Days of Christmas Faithbooking Challenge #4

The 12 Days of Christmas Faithbooking Challenge #4

WELCOME BACK!  If you missed verses 1-3, no worries!  You can easily catch-up (and that includes me!!). 

We've all heard this song growing up, but did you know each verse of the song also had a Biblical meaning? Over the next few weeks, we will be exploring the Biblical meanings of each verse of the song.  You can do your craft of choice, journal, scrapbook..….whatever you want to show what the verse and meaning means to you.  Each Sunday and Thursday for 6 weeks I will post the traditional verse, and its Biblical meaning. After the 6 weeks is over, you should have a beautiful reminder that you can share with your family and friends as to what the Biblical meanings are for "The 12 Days of Christmas"! (As a reminder, I found this information online at www.faith-sisters.blogspot.com and immediately knew it was the perfect accompaniment to the 6 week Christmas Experience study).  

Although participation in the 12 Days of Christmas Faithbooking Challenge isn’t necessary to be included the Expressions of Faith small group, I hope you will incorporate it somehow (crafting, journaling, scrapbooking, etc).  In a sense, it will become your testimonial of faith that will be a keepsake you will enjoy reflecting on often and sharing with others.

On the fourth day of Christmas,
my true Love sent to me
Four calling birds,
Three French hens,
Two turtle doves,
And a partridge in a pear tree.

The "four calling birds" refers to the four evangelists who wrote the Gospels—Matthew, Mark, Luke and John—which sing the song of salvation through Jesus Christ.

As I mentioned at the beginning, I am behind on my creations, but I have some time off next week, so I plan to catch-up J  I will post my creations as soon as I have them done.  Until then; enjoy these examples that were provided on www.faith-sisters.blogspot.com

Blessing!!

~Stacy

Are you in God's Waiting Room?

I hope everyone enjoyed our opening session of the Christmas Experience this past weekend.  Since Sunday, I have been thinking a lot about the “Winters” I have went through and how waiting in God’s “Waiting Room” is difficult at times.  We all have our own stories…or should I say struggles” of waiting in the “Waiting Room”….maybe you are there now.  From personal experience, I know I have asked “Why?......Why is God making me go through this?.....Why is God not answering my prayers?.....or Why is God making me wait?”  

Isaiah 60:22 says “I, the Lord, will bring it all to pass at the right time.”    

Maybe we wait, first, because He wants us to trust Him.  The timing is his, not ours.  Or perhaps He wants to remind us that He is God and we are not.  What if waiting helps grow our Faith.  More than anything else, God desires a relationship with us.  So maybe we wait because He desires for us to walk with Him, listen to Him, and have hope that He will work on our behalf.  We wait on Him to test our belief that He really does work for the good of those who love Him and are called according to his purpose.  We wait because the testing of our Faith develops perseverance and helps us to grow spiritually. 

Feel free to share with the group your stories of Winters or time spent in the Waiting Room and outcomes.  Please remember that this forum needs to be a place of positive encouragement, we are here to support and lift each other up.  (Which means I will monitor postings and delete comments that are degrading or unsupportive).

Looking forward to learning more about Mary with all of you on Sunday, hope you can join us!

Blessing!

~Stacy

The 12 Days of Christmas Faithbooking Challenge #3

The 12 Days of Christmas Faithbooking Challenge #3

WELCOME BACK!  If you missed verse 1 & 2, no worries!  You can easily catch-up. 

We've all heard this song growing up, but I never realized that each verse of the song also had a Biblical meaning (As a reminder, I found this information online at www.faith-sisters.blogspot.com and immediately knew it was the perfect accompaniment to the 6 week Christmas Experience study).  So, over the next few weeks, we will be exploring the Biblical meanings of each verse of the song.  You can do your craft of choice, journal, scrapbook….whatever you want to show what the verse and meaning means to you.  Each Sunday and Thursday for the next 6 weeks I will post the traditional verse, and it's Biblical meaning. After the 6 weeks is over, you should have a beautiful reminder that you can share with your family and friends as to what the Biblical meanings are for "The 12 Days of Christmas"!

Although participation in the 12 Days of Christmas Faithbooking Challenge isn’t necessary to be included the Expressions of Faith small group, I hope you will incorporate it somehow (crafting, journaling, scrapbooking, etc).  In a sense, it will become your testimonial of faith that will be a keepsake you will enjoy reflecting on often and sharing with others.

On the third day of Christmas,
my true love sent to me
Three French hens,
Two turtle doves,
And a partridge in a pear tree.

The "Three French Hens" stand for Faith, Hope and Love — the three gifts of the Spirit that abide which comes to us via 1 Corinthians 13.

You may also think of them using the Theological Virtues which are Faith, Hope and Charity.

I will post my interpretation as soon as I have it done, until then; enjoy these examples that were provided on www.faith-sisters.blogspot.com