Our girls small group is designed for 6th to 12th graders. We have been meeting for a year and a half and each time we meet we grow deeper in our relationships with each other and God. This year we are digging into a book about where our beauty comes from. The book is titled More Beautiful Than You Know written by Jennifer Strickland. Our next meeting will be in June and we would love to have you join us!
Saturday, May 23, 2015
Sunday, May 10, 2015
Mother's Day Sermon
For anyone who missed this morning. Here is the message I gave this morning. I want to thank all those who helped make this morning possible.
Happy Mother's Day! I pray that you today know how much you are loved and supported. Blessings to each one of you on this day and the days to come.
Mother’s Day Sermon
Proverbs 31
Epilogue: The Wife of Noble Character
10 [b]A wife of noble character who can find?
She is worth far more than rubies.
11 Her husband has full confidence in her
and lacks nothing of value.
12 She brings him good, not harm,
all the days of her life.
13 She selects wool and flax
and works with eager hands.
14 She is like the merchant ships,
bringing her food from afar.
15 She gets up while it is still night;
she provides food for her family
and portions for her female servants.
16 She considers a field and buys it;
out of her earnings she plants a vineyard.
17 She sets about her work vigorously;
her arms are strong for her tasks.
18 She sees that her trading is profitable,
and her lamp does not go out at night.
19 In her hand she holds the distaff
and grasps the spindle with her fingers.
20 She opens her arms to the poor
and extends her hands to the needy.
21 When it snows, she has no fear for her household;
for all of them are clothed in scarlet.
22 She makes coverings for her bed;
she is clothed in fine linen and purple.
23 Her husband is respected at the city gate,
where he takes his seat among the elders of the land.
24 She makes linen garments and sells them,
and supplies the merchants with sashes.
25 She is clothed with strength and dignity;
she can laugh at the days to come.
26 She speaks with wisdom,
and faithful instruction is on her tongue.
27 She watches over the affairs of her household
and does not eat the bread of idleness.
28 Her children arise and call her blessed;
her husband also, and he praises her:
29 “Many women do noble things,
but you surpass them all.”
30 Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting;
but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.
31 Honor her for all that her hands have done,
and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.
Mother’s day is a day we celebrate the Proverbs 31 women. History fact for you, the idea of Mother's Day was started by a Methodist lady named Anna Jarvis in West Virginia. In 1908 she held the first Mother's Day celebration at the Methodists church. She died before she saw it become a national holiday but she saw it as a day when you would write a personal note to your mom and give her a carnation. A carnation is given because it is a flower in which the petals hold tight like a mothers love. Today we go out and buy sentimental or goofy cards. We give our moms mugs and flowers. It is still a day when we push aside our own agendas and show our appreciation for the women in lives.
I have an amazing mom. For those who have meet her you know what I am talking about but for those who have not she will be here today and I encourage you to ask her about her testimony. It wasn’t until later in her life did she ever feel love from her mother but because of the example of love she had from other women in her life she taught my sister and I what it means to be a Proverbs 31 women.
While mother’s day can be a very happy and joyous day. It can also be a day full of sadness, pain and grief. Not everybody looks forward to Mother’s day.
For someone who just recently lost their mother this day can be full of pain from the loss.
For someone who just lost a child, Mother’s Day can be a day of grief.
For someone who had a difficult time with their mother, maybe your mother wasn’t the one we normally preach about. this day can bring bad memories flooding back.
For someone who has longed to have children but has empty arms Mother’s day is a reminder of that emptiness
For someone who never had a real mom and was raised by foster families or relatives this can be a day of confusion and pain
For a mom who is struggling with decisions about a problem child or marriage problems this is a day that can bring frustration
For a single mom struggling to be a good mother to their child Mother’s day can be a reminder of what they do not have
Not everyone had or has a home like the ones we see on the old tv shows.
Some of us were raised in good Christian homes and have wonderful parents and are wonderful parents. I thank God for you and you should thank God everyday too.
Each of us have been affected by motherhood whether good or bad. Everyone here has a mother, had a mother, is a mother, married to a mother or knows a mother.
Here are a few words of encouragement for you and for our mothers…. Imagine this as If God is writing you a message in your mother’s day card.
God’s message for you….
When you feel discouraged
We all feel discouraged at time. Motherhood is not for the faint at heart. There are days that are just down right discouraging. God has something to say to you on those days in Isaiah chapter 40 verses 28-31.
28 Do you not know? Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom.
29 He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.
30 Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall;
31 but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.
In those moments when you feel like you want to just give up that there is just to much discouragement to keep going. Remember that God understand more than you can fathom. He gets it better than anyone else. Not only that but he can see that bigger picture and knows where we've been and where we are going.
In times of deep discouragement it is a hope we can hold on to that he will give us strength. That he will carry us when we no longer can walk.
As it says Philippians 4:13 we can do all things through the one who strengthens us.
Remember that when you get discouraged. He is with you. He will strengthen you.
A message from God for When you feel angry
We've all gotten angry. We've all had our temper tested. Driving in traffic or rebellious children can cause moments of pure anger.
God never says that it is a sin to be angry he does however tell us to resolve it. In Ephesians 4:26 it says don't sin by letting anger gain control over you: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry," that means you can't go let anger go on and on. You need to find a solution to the problem. But again I want to say anger isn't bad.
There is a purpose to anger. Do you remember the story of Jesus tipping over tables in anger in the temple?
Anger can be useful.
It is because of anger that mothers don’t permit their children do be rude or have a lack of respect. Their anger teaches.
However, it must be used as a tool of teaching and correcting and not a weapon of destruction. Anger can quickly turn into a sin if we do not control it. We need to remember Proverbs 15:1 A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.
The says goes “Don’t let anger control you let God control your anger.”
A message from God ... When you need help
I got a text from a young mother this week and she was in the middle of dealing with two sick children under the age of three and she was frustrated and seeking help.
A grandmother walked into my office desperate for answers. Not know what to do next for her grandson who was now in her care.
First lets get one thing on the table right away. It's okay to ask for help. It doesn't mean you don't know what your doing or that your weak or anything like that. Asking for help is a good thing. Not only will you be blessed but the person you asked will be blessed too.
Im sure you moms have help from those around you… mothers … mother in laws … grandmothers … husbands… but mom’s have you ever felt like you just need a little more help?
Hear this message from God for you found in Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; 6 in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.
He knows way more than we do. He wants us to lean into him and say. I need you. If we do that
Psalm 32:8 says that he will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you and watch over you.
I know I know…. easy for you to say but I have asked for help. I have been on my knees night and day asking. Begging. Pleading.
Sometimes we have to wait. Psalm 27:14 says that we are to
Wait for the LORD; that we are to be strong and take heart and wait for the LORD.
Waiting is hard. Waiting for help and answers is even harder.
Believe me, I have been at this altar waiting for answers. Waiting for the path to be shown. God says that if we are faithful he will honor that. If we wait for him. If we keep doing good. He will make good on his promise. Galations 6:9 for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.
A message for
When you feel alone
Motherhood can be a lonely business. Everyone wants your attention. Everyone needs you. Everyone thinks you need to be everything for them. And yet you can be standing in the middle of the store surrounded by kids feeling so very alone. If you are feeling alone today. I want you to hear this encouraging word from God today.
Jeremiah 33:3 'Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.'
I don’t know about you but it is a comfort to me to know that when I call on God he will answer me. That God will never leave or forsake us. Hebrews 13:5
Gods message to you ....
When you feel tired
For all you moms who have worked full time jobs and come home at the end of the day and works your second full time job of being a mom. For all the moms who work as a full time mom. For all the new moms who just realized that 3am isn’t as fun as it was in college. For moms whose children have strayed and they are exhausted from searching for ways to bring them back to the fold. For every mother who has chased their child till they fall into the bed. For all the mothers who are worried about what the future hold. Write this one down.
Matthew 11:28 Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.
This is the type of rest you can’t find at the bottom of a bottle of Tylenol PM. This is a rest that only your Creator can give. It a peace and comfort given to us through the power of the Holy Spirit.
A message from god for
When you are worried
As a mother, there is a part of the unwritten job description that says you are to spend a lot of time worrying. Worrying about everything. Worry comes second nature to a mother. When worry starts to take over your life read this word from God
Philippians 4:6-7
Dont worry about anything, but pray about everything with thanksgiving hearts offer up your prayers and requests to god. Then because you belong to Christ Jesus god will bless you with peace that no one can completely understand and this peace will control the way you think and feel.
If you have many things that have allowed worry to invade your life. Write this verse on your mirror at home.
Peter 5:7
Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.
Don’t ever take on all of life’s problems on your own. Let God carry those burdens for you. A mother’s shoulders are broad but God’s are much broader.
A message from god for
When you are grieving
Some of you have lost your mother’s and today is a day full of grief over that loss. Some of you have lost a child to death or the world and today is a day of sorrow for that loss. Some of us have lost children before we were ever able to hold them or will never be able to have children and today we are reminded of our empty arms and full of sadness.
God gives us a word of comfort in Matthew 5:4 when he says… Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.
This verse was a comfort for me as I sat in the doctor’s office waiting to hear if I had miscarried or not. There were no words for the grief I felt when I found out I would never be able to have children of my own. The question of “when are you going to have kids of your own?” became one of despair and complicated answers. Mother’s day now is a calendar reminder of the fact that my arms will remain empty of a child of my own flesh and blood. However, Psalm 46:1-2 says that God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. 2 Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea.
God is close to the broke hearted.
There is hope in the midst of our grief. Each week I get a glimpse of that as I teach your children about the Savior.
God doesn’t promise us that it will be easy. God doesn’t promise that each of us will have the perfect family. God does give us examples of messed up families that do amazing things beause they trust in God. God does give us strength and comfort. He grants us wisdom and courage. He gives us messages of hope in the midst of our crazy roller coaster lives.
So today on this beautiful Mother's Day, I hope you heard an encouraging word and that God wrote a message of love and hopes in your Mother's Day card.
Happy Mother's Day! I pray that you today know how much you are loved and supported. Blessings to each one of you on this day and the days to come.
Mother’s Day Sermon
Proverbs 31
Epilogue: The Wife of Noble Character
10 [b]A wife of noble character who can find?
She is worth far more than rubies.
11 Her husband has full confidence in her
and lacks nothing of value.
12 She brings him good, not harm,
all the days of her life.
13 She selects wool and flax
and works with eager hands.
14 She is like the merchant ships,
bringing her food from afar.
15 She gets up while it is still night;
she provides food for her family
and portions for her female servants.
16 She considers a field and buys it;
out of her earnings she plants a vineyard.
17 She sets about her work vigorously;
her arms are strong for her tasks.
18 She sees that her trading is profitable,
and her lamp does not go out at night.
19 In her hand she holds the distaff
and grasps the spindle with her fingers.
20 She opens her arms to the poor
and extends her hands to the needy.
21 When it snows, she has no fear for her household;
for all of them are clothed in scarlet.
22 She makes coverings for her bed;
she is clothed in fine linen and purple.
23 Her husband is respected at the city gate,
where he takes his seat among the elders of the land.
24 She makes linen garments and sells them,
and supplies the merchants with sashes.
25 She is clothed with strength and dignity;
she can laugh at the days to come.
26 She speaks with wisdom,
and faithful instruction is on her tongue.
27 She watches over the affairs of her household
and does not eat the bread of idleness.
28 Her children arise and call her blessed;
her husband also, and he praises her:
29 “Many women do noble things,
but you surpass them all.”
30 Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting;
but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.
31 Honor her for all that her hands have done,
and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.
Mother’s day is a day we celebrate the Proverbs 31 women. History fact for you, the idea of Mother's Day was started by a Methodist lady named Anna Jarvis in West Virginia. In 1908 she held the first Mother's Day celebration at the Methodists church. She died before she saw it become a national holiday but she saw it as a day when you would write a personal note to your mom and give her a carnation. A carnation is given because it is a flower in which the petals hold tight like a mothers love. Today we go out and buy sentimental or goofy cards. We give our moms mugs and flowers. It is still a day when we push aside our own agendas and show our appreciation for the women in lives.
I have an amazing mom. For those who have meet her you know what I am talking about but for those who have not she will be here today and I encourage you to ask her about her testimony. It wasn’t until later in her life did she ever feel love from her mother but because of the example of love she had from other women in her life she taught my sister and I what it means to be a Proverbs 31 women.
While mother’s day can be a very happy and joyous day. It can also be a day full of sadness, pain and grief. Not everybody looks forward to Mother’s day.
For someone who just recently lost their mother this day can be full of pain from the loss.
For someone who just lost a child, Mother’s Day can be a day of grief.
For someone who had a difficult time with their mother, maybe your mother wasn’t the one we normally preach about. this day can bring bad memories flooding back.
For someone who has longed to have children but has empty arms Mother’s day is a reminder of that emptiness
For someone who never had a real mom and was raised by foster families or relatives this can be a day of confusion and pain
For a mom who is struggling with decisions about a problem child or marriage problems this is a day that can bring frustration
For a single mom struggling to be a good mother to their child Mother’s day can be a reminder of what they do not have
Not everyone had or has a home like the ones we see on the old tv shows.
Some of us were raised in good Christian homes and have wonderful parents and are wonderful parents. I thank God for you and you should thank God everyday too.
Each of us have been affected by motherhood whether good or bad. Everyone here has a mother, had a mother, is a mother, married to a mother or knows a mother.
Here are a few words of encouragement for you and for our mothers…. Imagine this as If God is writing you a message in your mother’s day card.
God’s message for you….
When you feel discouraged
We all feel discouraged at time. Motherhood is not for the faint at heart. There are days that are just down right discouraging. God has something to say to you on those days in Isaiah chapter 40 verses 28-31.
28 Do you not know? Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom.
29 He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.
30 Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall;
31 but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.
In those moments when you feel like you want to just give up that there is just to much discouragement to keep going. Remember that God understand more than you can fathom. He gets it better than anyone else. Not only that but he can see that bigger picture and knows where we've been and where we are going.
In times of deep discouragement it is a hope we can hold on to that he will give us strength. That he will carry us when we no longer can walk.
As it says Philippians 4:13 we can do all things through the one who strengthens us.
Remember that when you get discouraged. He is with you. He will strengthen you.
A message from God for When you feel angry
We've all gotten angry. We've all had our temper tested. Driving in traffic or rebellious children can cause moments of pure anger.
God never says that it is a sin to be angry he does however tell us to resolve it. In Ephesians 4:26 it says don't sin by letting anger gain control over you: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry," that means you can't go let anger go on and on. You need to find a solution to the problem. But again I want to say anger isn't bad.
There is a purpose to anger. Do you remember the story of Jesus tipping over tables in anger in the temple?
Anger can be useful.
It is because of anger that mothers don’t permit their children do be rude or have a lack of respect. Their anger teaches.
However, it must be used as a tool of teaching and correcting and not a weapon of destruction. Anger can quickly turn into a sin if we do not control it. We need to remember Proverbs 15:1 A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.
The says goes “Don’t let anger control you let God control your anger.”
A message from God ... When you need help
I got a text from a young mother this week and she was in the middle of dealing with two sick children under the age of three and she was frustrated and seeking help.
A grandmother walked into my office desperate for answers. Not know what to do next for her grandson who was now in her care.
First lets get one thing on the table right away. It's okay to ask for help. It doesn't mean you don't know what your doing or that your weak or anything like that. Asking for help is a good thing. Not only will you be blessed but the person you asked will be blessed too.
Im sure you moms have help from those around you… mothers … mother in laws … grandmothers … husbands… but mom’s have you ever felt like you just need a little more help?
Hear this message from God for you found in Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; 6 in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.
He knows way more than we do. He wants us to lean into him and say. I need you. If we do that
Psalm 32:8 says that he will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you and watch over you.
I know I know…. easy for you to say but I have asked for help. I have been on my knees night and day asking. Begging. Pleading.
Sometimes we have to wait. Psalm 27:14 says that we are to
Wait for the LORD; that we are to be strong and take heart and wait for the LORD.
Waiting is hard. Waiting for help and answers is even harder.
Believe me, I have been at this altar waiting for answers. Waiting for the path to be shown. God says that if we are faithful he will honor that. If we wait for him. If we keep doing good. He will make good on his promise. Galations 6:9 for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.
A message for
When you feel alone
Motherhood can be a lonely business. Everyone wants your attention. Everyone needs you. Everyone thinks you need to be everything for them. And yet you can be standing in the middle of the store surrounded by kids feeling so very alone. If you are feeling alone today. I want you to hear this encouraging word from God today.
Jeremiah 33:3 'Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.'
I don’t know about you but it is a comfort to me to know that when I call on God he will answer me. That God will never leave or forsake us. Hebrews 13:5
Gods message to you ....
When you feel tired
For all you moms who have worked full time jobs and come home at the end of the day and works your second full time job of being a mom. For all the moms who work as a full time mom. For all the new moms who just realized that 3am isn’t as fun as it was in college. For moms whose children have strayed and they are exhausted from searching for ways to bring them back to the fold. For every mother who has chased their child till they fall into the bed. For all the mothers who are worried about what the future hold. Write this one down.
Matthew 11:28 Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.
This is the type of rest you can’t find at the bottom of a bottle of Tylenol PM. This is a rest that only your Creator can give. It a peace and comfort given to us through the power of the Holy Spirit.
A message from god for
When you are worried
As a mother, there is a part of the unwritten job description that says you are to spend a lot of time worrying. Worrying about everything. Worry comes second nature to a mother. When worry starts to take over your life read this word from God
Philippians 4:6-7
Dont worry about anything, but pray about everything with thanksgiving hearts offer up your prayers and requests to god. Then because you belong to Christ Jesus god will bless you with peace that no one can completely understand and this peace will control the way you think and feel.
If you have many things that have allowed worry to invade your life. Write this verse on your mirror at home.
Peter 5:7
Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.
Don’t ever take on all of life’s problems on your own. Let God carry those burdens for you. A mother’s shoulders are broad but God’s are much broader.
A message from god for
When you are grieving
Some of you have lost your mother’s and today is a day full of grief over that loss. Some of you have lost a child to death or the world and today is a day of sorrow for that loss. Some of us have lost children before we were ever able to hold them or will never be able to have children and today we are reminded of our empty arms and full of sadness.
God gives us a word of comfort in Matthew 5:4 when he says… Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.
This verse was a comfort for me as I sat in the doctor’s office waiting to hear if I had miscarried or not. There were no words for the grief I felt when I found out I would never be able to have children of my own. The question of “when are you going to have kids of your own?” became one of despair and complicated answers. Mother’s day now is a calendar reminder of the fact that my arms will remain empty of a child of my own flesh and blood. However, Psalm 46:1-2 says that God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. 2 Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea.
God is close to the broke hearted.
There is hope in the midst of our grief. Each week I get a glimpse of that as I teach your children about the Savior.
God doesn’t promise us that it will be easy. God doesn’t promise that each of us will have the perfect family. God does give us examples of messed up families that do amazing things beause they trust in God. God does give us strength and comfort. He grants us wisdom and courage. He gives us messages of hope in the midst of our crazy roller coaster lives.
So today on this beautiful Mother's Day, I hope you heard an encouraging word and that God wrote a message of love and hopes in your Mother's Day card.
Happy Mother's Day!
To those who gave birth this year to their first
child—we celebrate with you
To those who lost a child this year – we mourn with
you
To those who are in the trenches with little ones
every day and wear the badge of food stains – we appreciate you
To those who experienced loss through miscarriage,
failed adoptions, or running away—we mourn with you
To those who walk the hard path of infertility,
fraught with pokes, prods, tears, and disappointment – we walk with you.
Forgive us when we say foolish things. We don’t mean to make this harder than
it is.
To those who are foster moms, mentor moms, and
spiritual moms – we need you
To those who have warm and close relationships with
your children – we celebrate with you
To those who have disappointment, heart ache, and
distance with your children – we sit with you
To those who lost their mothers this year – we grieve
with you
To those who experienced abuse at the hands of your
own mother – we acknowledge your experience
To those who lived through driving tests, medical
tests, and the overall testing of motherhood – we are better for having you in
our midst
To those who are single and long to be married and
mothering your own children – we mourn that life has not turned out the way you
longed for it to be
To those who step-parent – we walk with you on these
complex paths
To those who envisioned lavishing love on
grandchildren -yet that dream is not to be, we grieve with you
To those who will have emptier nests in the upcoming
year – we grieve and rejoice with you
To those who placed children up for adoption — we
commend you for your selflessness and remember how you hold that child in your
heart
And to those who are pregnant with new life, both
expected and surprising –we anticipate with you
This Mother’s Day, we walk with you. Mothering is not
for the faint of heart and we have real warriors in our midst. We remember you.
- See more at:
http://timewarpwife.com/open-letter-pastors-non-mom-speaks-mothers-day/#sthash.8AwqNqAb.dpuf
Tuesday, May 5, 2015
Tuesday Thoughts
Last week I got to go to the Orange conference in Atlanta, GA. It is a great time for me to network with some of my fellow children and student pastors. It is also when I hear some new studies on the generation that we are ministering to. This year we learned that it is just a phase and that we don't want to miss it. As I sat through all the sessions and learned so much information there is one thing that stuck out to me. When a phase is ending we enter a new phase and we have the choice on how we step into the next phase. So how do we make sure that we don't step into the next phase on a bad foot? Come found out tomorrow night at our parent's meeting. We will feed you a light meal and will begin right at 6 pm in the Fellowship Hall.
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