FALL BIBLE STUDIES

Are you regularly studying God's Word? Do you need something structured to make Bible study easier for you? Would you like to be around other women like yourself?


Have you thought about becoming involved in one of our Bible studies we are doing this fall? I find that many women will not sign up to do one because they can't be there every week. Ladies, that's really to be expected. As much as we want to be consistent, there will be times that children will be sick, doctor appointments will come up, cars will break down, or husbands will be off and have plans for us. You don't have to be perfect! You don't have to share your innermost secrets! And you don't have to pray in front of a large group! 


The only way we can please God is to know what He wants. And the only way to know what He wants is to know the Scriptures. Please consider joining one of the groups below:


Monday nights/Tuesday mornings
Malachi: A Love that Never Lets Go by Lisa Harper, 8 weeks
Begins Monday, Sept. 10, 6:30-8:00 PM
Begins Tuesday, Sept. 11, 9:30-11:15 AM

Tuesday mornings

Precept's Ezekiel Part 1, 11 weeks

Begins Tuesday, Aug. 28, 9:00-11:15 AM

Registered childcare on Tuesday Mornings only.

WORD FOR THE WEEK

SUNDAY NIGHT BOOK TALK by Tony Manley

I love Sunday nights more dearly when I don’t have school on Monday!  I don’t understand the difference because Monday is still Monday, and I do love teaching, but there is something that just feels like I am getting a free pass on Sundays with no school Mondays!  It is Sunday night, I am the only awake person in the house and I picked up my friend War of Words by Paul Tripp.  This is a book well worth the moments spent reading or going back through and writing out all the highlights from the first read.

The premise of the book is: 

     1. God has a wonderful plan for my words.

     2. Sin has radically altered my agenda for my words.

     3. In Christ, I find the grace that provides all I need to speak as God intends.

     4. The Bible teaches me how to get from where I am to where God wants  me to be.

     5. God’s plan for my words is married to God’s plan for my heart.

There you have it - the theme and teaching about words from God’s perspective.  I have loved thinking about the truth -  “God has a plan for my words.”  Not just the  verbalizing of my words, but the tone and choice of the words - vocabulary.  Being a person who is consistently dealing with heart issues, I immediately recognized “For out of the overflow of his heart his mouth speaks.”  Luke 6:45

The book goes all the way back to the Garden of Eden and walks the reader through the process of the fall of talk is nothing more than the fall of man. Sin is now the place of origin for mankind’s talk.  But the good news is: because of the living Word (Jesus and written word), I have hope with my words!  Only in the Word do I find hope to win the war of my words.  James 3 says, “No man can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.”   This is why I need the Word to be Lord of my heart – He is my victor in this war!

 

This is a book that is honest, transparent, enjoyable, and full of illustrations of the author’s mistakes and victories!  I definitely recommend it to anyone that tends to wonder with Paul in Romans 7, “What I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do.”  Thus, War of Words is a great truth to work /wrestle through as a study in one’s personal time at home or with a group.  God loves to heal the heart, and in turn, my mouth is healed. 

GRATITUDE by Vicki Taylor

Gratitude is the key that unlocks the kingdom prayers and moves them to the throne of grace.  Gratitude… one word, one action, one heart felt emotion opening up the gates of heaven moving our groanings into the Father’s presence. 


Man, I don’t know about you, but I’d really like to be able to pray like this. I’d like for my prayers to move mountains instead of ant hills.  Why, I don’t even think I’ve moved any ant hills lately, unless I stepped on them accidently while walking across the yard.  And Gratitude?  Why, I’m thankful, very thankful!  I’m thankful I got out of bed this morning and made it to work today.  I’m thankful for my husband, all my kids, grandkids, my job, good hair days, well, you get the point. But am I grateful?


I decided to look up the word in the dictionary, just to get the facts right.  Gratitude is a state of being grateful: THANKFULNESS.  Yes, it was written just like that, in all caps.  I took that as important.  In other words, if I am full of thankfulness, then I am grateful for all the Lord has done for me.  And when I learn to pray in a spirit of gratitude, my heart in turn will be full of thanks toward my heavenly Father for all He has done for me.  


As I ponder on this thought, I think of what happens in my life (I will use myself as an example since I really don’t know how God works in your life): I pray for a specific person, thing, or situation, and nothing happens (the ant hill effect).  Not realizing that just past the surface of things, God is at work in my life for my greater good.  You would think that by now I would realize that God does not do anything quick in my life.  He takes His time.  Just like prayer, it takes time.  


For example, when Daniel asked Nebuchadnezzar for time so he could interpret the king’s dream, he spent that time in prayer seeking God’s wisdom and direction.  And when Nehemiah sought God’s help in rebuilding the wall around Jerusalem, he spent several months in prayer before he moved into action.  I was beginning to see a pattern here…  


My prayers need to take the time God allows in my life to teach me something more than just receiving an answer from Him.  Did you get that?  They are to teach us something about ourselves. Maybe not every time, but I can see, looking back on my own life, how God has used my prayers to change my heart toward someone or something He wanted me to love, change, correct or rebuild for my own good.  Was this process painful?  Yes.  And was I grateful through the process?  I cannot honestly say I was, but I am learning and that is what the Christian walk is all about - learning to walk.  Maybe that’s why they don’t call it the Christian race.


“Prayer without ceasing is only possible in a life of continual thanks.” Ann Voskamp

OPPOSITION by Tony Manley

I am still living with Nehemiah and taking on the task of helping him rebuild the wall!  He is deep into the process and opposition is intensifying.  In the beginning of the process, the opposition was from the “without” people – the ones not connected to the wall, the ones threatened by the rebuilding.  But as the project is continuing, the opposition is becoming closer to home, it is beginning to come from the “within” people – the ones who are connected to the wall, the ones who started off in helping with the rebuilding.  How does this happen?  How important is it to identify where opposition is coming from or even where it is directed?

The word opposition just sounds tiring!  To a young mother, an oppositional child is tiring; to an employer, pastor, teacher, coach oppositional people can wear them down.  To a Shepherd, an oppositional sheep is a full time job (now does the rubber meet the road personally?!).   Opposition is a natural part of this sin-affected world.  Jesus said in John 16:33, “In this world you will have trouble,” so I should not take it so personally because opposition is not just about me; it is all about all of us.  The difficult aspect seems to be when it comes from the “within” people, the ones I am connected to, the ones I am teamed with in this project – the unity of Christ, the family – physical and spiritual.  Sanballat (the oppositional leader) began to “stir up trouble against” the rebuilding wall project.  He did it by ridiculing, bringing doubt about the leadership, and timing the assaults at a time when the laborers were becoming tired and even somewhat fearful.  Now, that is my point – tiredness, overly busy, stress, fear…great opportunities for opposition from within to become a place of nurturing!

I can at times be guilty of living in my emotions (often a shallow place to make wise judgments)!  The beginnings of what God calls me to (spouse, parent, friend, employee of the job I pursued, church member of the church I said God called me to) tend to be much stronger in the start than when I get into the long haul.  It is a challenge to finish my calling well - to build the life or place God gives me specifically as my task for Him/His glory.  Opposition can distract, tire, and even defeat.  I can find myself listening to the lies of the flesh, enemy, and the world.  Key word – lies. Thus, this is the very reason I must hide God’s Word so deeply in my heart that truth becomes my default place. The last part of John 16:33 is the very truth that must rise and rule the heart –“But take heart!  I have overcome the world.”  This is what Nehemiah clung to as truth in the moments of opposition that “looked” impossible and intimidating.

As I live my dailyness, the truth that God is greater than what I see, the truth that He has equipped me (Heb 13:21), and the truth that “in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us,” (Rom. 8:37) should give me peace and strength that I can have abundant life in the midst of opposition and be one who rejects the place of sowing opposition to God’s work and way!

AUNT FANNIE'S SQUASH and CABBAGE-CARROT CASSEROLE

Monday night's Bible Study meal was vegetables! We had some good eatin' for sure, but two of the dishes were especially good and recipes were requested. So here they are!

AUNT FANNIE'S SQUASH by Paula Miller, who has no clue who Aunt Fannie is :)

3 lbs. raw squash

1/2 cup chopped onions

2 eggs, beaten

1/2 cup saltine crackers

1/2 tsp. pepper

1 stick butter, divided 

1 T. sugar

1 tsp. salt

crushed saltines for the topping

1. Slice the squash and cook in water until tender. Drain and put into a greased casserole dish.

2. Put 1/2 the stick of butter in the hot squash and melt. Stir well.

3. Add all the rest of the ingredients (except for the remaining 1/2 stick of butter and the cracker topping) and stir well. 

4. Melt the remaining 1/2 stick of butter and pour it on top of the squash.

5. Top with more crushed saltines.

6. At this point, you may freeze this dish, if you like. When ready to bake, thaw in refrigerator for 24 hours.

7. Bake at 375 degrees for 1 hour.

CABBAGE-CARROT CASSEROLE by Paula Roten

2 lbs. thinly sliced cabbage 

2 cups water

2 tsp. Bettter Than Bouillon, chicken flavor (or 2 chicken bouillon cubes)

2 large carrots, grated

salt, pepper to taste

Cheese Sauce:

2 T. butter

2 T. plain flour

1/2 cup milk

1/2 cup reserved vegetable liquid

2-4 oz. cheese, sharp cheddar or american

Cook the sliced cabbage and grated carrots in the water and bouillon until tender, about 20-30 minutes, stirring every now and then. Drain well, reserving 1/2 cup of the vegetable liquid. Taste and add salt and pepper, if needed. Place in an 8 x 11-inch dish.

To make the cheese sauce, melt the butter in a pan over medium heat. Add the flour and stir 1 minute. Add the milk and reserved vegetable liquid. Stir until slightly thickened. Add the cheese and stir until melted and thick. 

Pour the cheese sauce over the cabbage and carrots. Lightly stir, letting the sauce sink into the vegetables. Sprinkle lightly with paprika. Bake at 350 degrees for 20-30 minutes. 

WORD FOR THE WEEK

Let's do an inventory today of what we are putting into our hearts. Luke 6:45 paraphrased for women:

WHAT I LEARNED AT GRANCAMP by Tony Manley

Last week was Grancamp.  Can I tell you I love it and get very excited as I prepare for the campers?  This year our theme was “Growing a Heart for God.”  Our motto was “A HOST heart is a kind heart.”  (HOST is an acronym for 4 hearts –happy, obedient, servant, and thankful).  Basically, it was a week to grow relationships and plant God’s character in the hearts of my four oldest grandchildren. 

I learned much more about my heart than I can express in this space!  For example, I have a much greater appreciation for God’s character.  Scripture states: God never grows weary; He is always attentive; He is full of mercy and grace; He is compassionate and long-suffering; He is just and always wise.  Now, I know God is more than these descriptors, but I can tell you these are the character qualities of this flesh and blood woman that I want strengthened whether I am a counselor at heart camp or just a regular person living life.  

Not to mention the hearts that the camp was intentional about growing! I loved the excitement, comaraderie, gratitude, and the routine.  But because my grandchildren are related to the same ancestors that I am related to (Adam and Eve), there were moments of weariness, rights, choices and responses not so fragrant, getting on nerves …you get the point! At times, I found myself having the same childish heart (thoughts) as the children – especially when I was focused on myself – another characteristic of the nature of our ancestors.  But God is so faithful to encourage, comfort, strengthen, bless, forgive, and basically be greater than self.  Heart camp was good for me and I believe it was profitable for the campers!

As the last campers left camp, and we were blowing kisses through the window, I had such mixed emotions. I was happy for them to be back with their parents and I was pleased with the results.  I loved getting to see each child’s heart in settings that were designed to grow their hearts in happiness /joy, obedience, servanthood, thankfulness, and kindness.

 

I am realizing that God has me in heart camp every day…He sets me in settings to grow my heart for Him and to be a living picture of His heart to the world. What a gift!

 Father, thank you for giving me Your heart.  I pray I will be faithful to share that heart with others all the days of my life.  You are so loving and faithful toward me.  

Amen

CREAMY APPLE SQUARES by Nellita Young

We have had wonderful meals before our Bible Study every Monday night this summer. Nellita Young brought this easy, delicious dessert and everyone raved over it.

CREAMY APPLE SQUARES

1 yellow cake mix  (*I used Duncan Hines Classic Golden Butter Cake Mix)

½ cup butter, softened

¼ cup firmly packed brown sugar

½ tsp cinnamon

2 apples, peeled and thinly sliced  (*I used Gala apples)

1 cup sour cream

1 egg

DIRECTIONS:

Heat oven to 350 degrees. 

Combine the first two ingredients (cake mix and butter); mix until crumbly.  Reserve 2/3 cup for topping.

Add brown sugar and cinnamon to reserved topping; mix well; set aside.

Press remaining mixture onto bottom of ungreased 9 x 13 inch pan.

Arrange apple slices over base.

Blend sour cream and egg together; spread evenly over apples.  (It makes a very thin layer.)

Sprinkle reserved topping mixture overall.  (*After mixing my topping ingredients together, my topping turned out to be more of a “ball” rather than crumbly.  So, I used a grater to make the topping go more evenly.)

Bake at 350 degrees for approximately 30 minutes or until topping is golden brown and bubbly. 

Serve warm … either by itself or with ice cream or a dollop of whipping cream.

Refrigerate leftovers … if there are any!!

Makes 12 – 15 squares.

WORD FOR THE WEEK

Do you remember when you were a child and were too excited to sleep on Christmas Eve? Remember the anticipation...wondering what awaited you under that Christmas Tree on Christmas morning? This verse makes me feel that way all over again. 


I love that I can't even begin to guess what wonderful things God is going to surprise me with! In fact, no one can imagine because what he has planned is so much better than what anyone has seen or heard or even thought about! It must really be something! I can't wait! How about you? 

WOMEN'S RETREAT

Ladies, I hope you've read in the bulletin about the Women's Ministry Retreat on Aug. 17-18 at The Olford Center on Riverdale Rd. It will be Fri. 5:00pm - Sat. 1:00pm.

No cooking! No cleaning! No husbands, kids, grandkids, or pets to take care of! Just a great time with sisters in Christ at a beautiful, serene hotel-like setting!

The cost is $75 and a $25 deposit is due Sunday, July 22nd. There are a limited number of spots, so please make your reservations ASAP at the Women's Ministry Table or call the church office and ask to speak to Lisa (662-349-2914). Price includes accommodations, 3 meals, a cute women's ministry t-shirt, and a great time with several of our very own ladies ministering through God's Word!

Please don't miss this! It should be a fun time of fellowship and refreshment!

 

THOUGHTS ARE EVER PRESENT by Tony Manley

“Finally, brothers, whatever is…”

         True – God’s Word, promises, character, names

         Honorable – thoughts that bring, show, speak respect

         Right – correctly lines up with scripture and God’s character

         Pure – clean, untainted; God’s motives, agendas

         Lovely – “pretty;” brings a smile

         Admirable – esteeming; brings respect, appreciation

         Excellent – quality of something; assigned high value

         Praiseworthy – gratitude, thankfulness

Thinking is a full time, every moment activity!  These eight qualities are God’s standards for my thinking.  These eight qualities bring life. These eight qualities will be a witness and testimony of the “One who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.”  1 John 4:4

Personally, these same qualities can and do reveal the degree I am living the Spirit-filled life. (“As a man thinketh in his heart, so is he.” Prov. 23:7 KJV) I am learning that I must be intentional in:

1.    being transformed by the renewing of my mind - Rom.12:2

2.    taking every thought captive to make it obedient to Christ -

II Cor. 10:5

 The truth in the song “Jesus, Be Jesus in Me…” begins with me thinking true, honorable, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent, and praiseworthy thoughts!

         “Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus.”

                  Phil. 2:5 KJV

PIMIENTO CHEESE SURPRISE by Lynda Leeson

Monday Night Bible Study has been wonderful this summer! Yes, we are learning lots about Nehemiah and being challenged to ask God how He wants to use us to minister to the community around us, but we are also eating quite well and getting new recipes each week. This week's themed menu was appetizers, and Lynda Leeson brought this wonderful, easy dip.


Pimiento Cheese Surprise

2 1/2 cups Price's Pimiento and Cheese
1 can Mexicorn, drained
1 small sweet onion, chopped
2-3 jalapeno peppers, seeded and chopped (to taste)

Combine all ingredients. Best if made ahead of time to let the peppers achieve their full potential. Serve with tortilla chips.

WORD FOR THE WEEK - brokenhearted

Another meaning for the word "saves" in that verse is "rescues." Are you heart-broken? Do you feel like some outside force is trying to break you in two? God is your rescuer. The next verse in this passage says, "The righteous person faces many troubles, but the Lord comes to the rescue each time."