Week 5 - Day 4 "The Shepherd King"

Today's Treasure: "Lord said to you, 'You will shepherd my people Israel, and you will become their ruler'" 2 Samuel 5:2

Principal Question: According to 2 Samuel 5:2, what did God commission David to do"

Lap Band Process

Okay Ladies, I have started the process to try and have my insurance pay for the Lap band gastric surgery. I have always fought my weight since I was around 10 years old after the sexual abuse started. Sometimes it was up and then down again. I have lost up to 120 lbs. once, but I am finding it so difficult this time around. I pray about it all the time. ANYWAY, I have researched this process and decided to give it a try. I have done all the initial stuff required and today was told by Dr. Edwards nurse, Mary that my profile looked good for the process. So now I have to go through his office and do all of the required classes, visits and so on then it will all be submitted to the insurance company! She said it all looked good and she really didn't see a reason why I wouldn't be accepted by my insurance. This will be a GOD send if it happens. The surgery runs around 16,000.00 and with my insurance it will cost me 800.00!!!!!!!!!!!

So keep me in your prayers so I can get this part of my life under control so I can enjoy those grandbabies.... And just feel better!

Week 5 - Day 3 "Suspicious Minds"

Today's Treasure: "Abner said to David, 'Let me go at once and assemble all Israel for my lord the king, so that they may make a compact with you, and that you may rule over all that your heart desires.' So David sent Abner away, and he went in peace" 2 Samuel 3:21

Principal Question:
How did David respond to Abner's muder?

Prayer Request.....

My "bestest" friend in the world, Darinda Fitzgerald had a lymph node removed yesterday from under her arm. They will find out next week from the surgeon if it is benign or malignant. She said the doctor felt it was benign. So prayers are needed for her and her family. Her husband, Kevin is a Baptist minister and they have a very strong faith in GOD. They are a great couple and need our prayers!

Thanks, Ronda

Saul consulting the witch of Endor

Okay, I have read our McGee commentary. Remember when I said that when you are "playing" a ouija board there is no way to contact your loving Christian grandmother who has passed away. It is ALWAYS evil. But, I had to wonder if God did allow Saul to call up Samuel through the medium. Why would God himself not speak to Saul but allow a medium to give him a Godly message??? And come to find out, the supposed Samuel that spoke, didn't tell Saul anything new. It was what he already had told him was going to happen. And I do know from experience that demons are master impersonators. For those of you who weren't there I admitted that I used to do ouija boards and the nightmarish things that happened. They are very real and always demonic. Even though at first might make you think it's harmless and your talking to an actual nice person who just happened to be dead. And where did it say that the Lord allowed it to happen? Or did we just come up with that theory ourselves? I can't find it in scripture anywhere. And here is another question, was satan able to call up Samuel? No way! Oh, and I found this, 1 Chronicles 10:13, "So Saul died for his transgression which he committed against the Lord, even against the word of the Lord, which he kept not, and also for asking counsel of one who had a familiar spirit, to inquire of it.". So there is the answer. Whew! That's been eating my brain!

Week 5 - day 2: Things That Bring Change"

Today's Treasure: "The war between the house of Saul and the house of David lasted a long time. David grew stronger and stronger, while the house of Saul grew weaker and weaker."
2 Samuel 3:1

Principal Question: How does 2 Samuel 3:1 support the equation Time + Conflict = Change?

Week 5 - Day 1 "Settling Down"

Today's Treasure: "David also took the men who were with him, each with his family, and they settled in Hebron and its towns. Then the men of Judah came to Hebron and tere they anointed David king over the house of Judah" 2 Samuel 2: 3-4

Principal Question: According to 2 Samuel 2: 3-4, what happened to David in Hebron?

New Website!

Here is Christy's (Blehm) new website! It is awesome.

www.christysphoto.com

Blogging

Boost Communication by Blogging
Written by Julie Langmade
Note: This is the third article in a three-part series on how to effectively use technology in women’s ministry. Take a minute to read the first two articles before continuing.
“Should I be blogging?” This may be a question you’re asking yourself, that is, unless you’re asking “What is a blog?” The word “blog” is short for “web log,” which is basically an online diary or journal. Free tools such as WordPress (http://www.wordpress.com) and Blogger (http://www.blogger.com) make it easy for anyone to become an online author. The subjects of blogs can range from everyday activities of life to political issues or promotion of a cause. It’s really an opportunity to put your thoughts into words and send them into cyberspace. Scary, huh?
The Blogging Church
So what’s their role in women’s ministry? A blog can become another method of communication. An entry on a blog is called a post. Posting to the blog can be done quickly and easily. Where you might have to go through one or more people to update your Web site, updating your blog can be done yourself from anywhere you have an Internet connection.
Websites are often one-way communication, meaning you put up content for visitors to read, but more than likely there is no way for visitors to respond to that content. Blogging gives you the ability to interact with your readers by using the comment function provided by all blogging tools. Comments can be added to any post, and most tools provide some form of approval process for those comments. For example, you may post a devotional once a week to your blog and then women can respond and express their thoughts or what they’ve learned.
Once you start blogging, you’ll begin to build a network with other bloggers who are a part of your ministry. You can keep track of your network by adding people to your blogroll (a list of blogs you frequently read). These people could be people you know or don’t know. The main purpose is to let your readers know what other blogs you visit and who you know in the blogging world. You might find that if you start a blog, many of your women might decide to join you forming somewhat of a cyber sisterhood.
Because everything done in your women’s ministry should have a purpose, you might want to ask yourself the following questions before you begin to blog:
What am I trying to accomplish by having a blog?
Do I have enough new content to post at least 3 times a week? If you post to your blog less than 3 times a week, you’ll lose readers. Bloggers like to see new content and see it often.
Do I have the time to maintain the blog? It takes time to read and approve the comments. You want to make sure that if you don’t have the time, you involve one of your team members who does.
Do I have methods of promoting the blog? You can add it to your e-mail signature and to your printed pieces. You can also post some fun videos and pictures to make all the time you invest worthwhile.
Blogging is also another way to involve more women in the ministry. This time you’re looking for writers. Who are the women in your ministry who have a great knowledge of the Word or who are overflowing with wisdom and can put those things into writing? Who are the great chefs who can contribute recipes? The possibilities for posts are endless. Long Hollow Women (http://longhollowwomen.wordpress.com) and Craving Grace (http://cravinggrace.org/) are two examples of women’s ministries that have launched into the blogosphere by involving lots of women in the church to post about a plethora of topics. Starting reading these on a regular basis and you might even be inspired to start one of your own! Allow technology to be just one more tool you use to reach the women in your church, community, and around the world.

Ellie's getting baptized!

Just wanted to let you all know that my oldest, Ellie 6 1/2, is getting baptized tomorrow morning! We are so proud of her! She was saved over a year ago. But, too shy to get baptized and we didn't feel we should push her into it. She told us the other day that she felt it was the right time. Man, she is maturing before my eyes. I hope the roads don't get bad again. I hear they may. Hopefully not though. I just had to tell you guys the good news:)! Hope I see ya at church!

Emily

Step into Africa Exhibit

Here is the information about the exhibit.


Location:Remington's

Recurring On:Sunday, Monday, Friday, Saturday
From 9:00 AM to 9:00 PM

Details:Can you survive the journey of a child? Step into Africa and into an unforgettable journey that will challenge everything you thought you knew about the AIDS crisis. The 2,500 square-foot walk-through exhibit is fashioned after an African village.

March 7-10, 20089a.m. to 9p.m. daily

For further information you can go to http://www.ridgecrestbaptist.org/

HAPPY VALENTINES DAY!

I HOPE YOU ALL RECEIVE MANY VALENTINES TODAY!

Strongs explanation of 1 Sam. 20:41

Last week we discussed Beth's question about why David wept the most. My Bible didn't say David wept the most, but "...and wept one with another until David exceeded." Some of the other Bible's said something else. I looked it up according to Strongs and it says that 1 Sam. 20:41 says "...one with another, until David exceeded." According to Strongs exceeded in this verse means "to twist, i.e. to be large(in various senses, as in body, mind, estate or honor, also in pride);-advance, boast, bring up, excellent, be (come, do , give, tate, +things), grow (up), increase, lift up, magnify, be much set by, nourish (up), pass, promote, proudly (spoken), tower."
The notation in my Bible says it means "controlled himself".
Hope this helps.

Answered Prayer!

Last week I had asked for Prayer for a friend from work. She is having issues with her marriage, and children. She has a 19 year old, a 12 year old and a 4 year old. Her 12 year old is going through a pretty bad stage right now and he is on medication, going to a psychiatrist and all that goes along with that. My girlfriend, was brought up in a Jehovah Witness home and because of her mother's pushing and forcing all of these beliefs on her and her sister's they all have a bad idea of religion. I decided to ask her to church after she had a breakdown at work last week. So she was with me yesterday, she really enjoyed the sermon, the music and the friendliness of us Eudora people! So after church she and her daughter, Samantha went to Borders and she bought her first Kings James Bible! She called me today and stated that she enjoyed it (she didn't expect to) and plans on coming again. She also said Pastor Jim called her and she really liked that he seemed so personal and open. AND her 12 year old showed interest in coming with her next sunday! So we need to get him with kids his own age and let them be witnesses to him and maybe with GOD's intervention he can get off the medication and stop going to the doctors and just come to the Lord! Gigi (My friends name) is very naive to the ways of our church. I had to explain to her what it meant for the Martinsen family to transfer their letter of membership. But just with her asking, I say that is just AWESOME! SO please keep them in your daily prayers! They are the Horvath family from Fair Grove. Dad is Paul, Gigi, 19 year old son - Corwin, 12 year old son- Brandon and 4 year old daughter-Samantha.

Thank guys! and STAY warm today!!!

Bible Study Cancelled

I'm sure you all know. But, we are not having it tonight for obvious reasons. Stay safe and warm with your families!

In today's reading it talked about David using the Ephod to ask God if he should leave or stay. I am very confused about this. I know the Ephod had the Urim and the Thummim in it. Were these stones that he would use to hear God through or were they like dice, or was one a certain color or word meaning "no" and one meaning "yes"? Exactly how were they used or were they even just one item? I have been looking it up on the internet but I don't really trust what I read. Have any of you studied this and have the Biblical answer?

Salvation Confusion

I have so enjoyed reading the posts you all have humbly put out for us. What a gift to be able to share Christ and what He has done in each of our lives. He truly is an awesome God! Just look at each of our salvation experiences. Same salvation, but oh such different circumstances. All of that said, I want to share my journey w/ you all.
The church I grew up in is very hard to explain. Even though it has a baptist name, it is very very different from the baptist church we all attend. God truly has taken me on a journey and only by His grace am I able to be so confident in my salvation as I am now. I was saved at 11 years old at a revival meeting on a Monday night in April 1982 around 9 in the evening. I remember this all so well, because I wrote it in the back of my Bible :) . I remember the peace, the love, the joy, the lifting of the burden of sin and didn't want to wash the dress I was wearing as it was a tangible reminder for me. I can remember crying out to God to save me and not let me go to hell (I was young, ok) and then feeling this intense peace and standing up from the altar w/ all these people around and just wanting to hug my mom. She told me my face was glowing. Now, by the next week, I was doubting if I truly was saved. In the church I grew up in, you didnt' just go to an altar one time and be saved. You had to go again and again, weep, wail, and "do" something. It was/is a "works" basis. So, all through my teen years, I had this lagging doubt in my mind. I was afraid to drive across the mile long bridge by Stockton and would pray all the way across. Satan was using fear to keep me from being secure in my salvation.
At 17 or so, I joined a church and of course the next step is baptism. My grandpa was a baptist minister, and I requested he baptise me. He was not the minister at the church we were going to and there was some animosity between the churches and members, some of which were also family (distant). The deacons and the pastor decided my grandpa could not baptise me, the current minister would have to, so either he was allowed to perform the baptism or my membership would be withdrawn. This caused a huge church split and my family dropped out of church for a time. This all happened the spring after my mom's accident and our whole family was in the grieving/questioning God mode. Her accident was a huge blow to all of us and totally changed our entire way of life, so for our own church to turn on us was yet another huge blow and really made me think God was out to get us.
I was dating Daniel at the time and when my parents would allow me to, I would attend Eudora w/ him. This was a totally different church than I was used to. The worship was reverant and real and lived every day. After Daniel and I were married, we went to Eudora. I had so much baggage from the churche's I grew up in that it has been years for me to undo all that was planted in my brain and taught as truth. Some was truth, but much wasn't. Anyway, I had always been taught baptism could only be real if done in a creek/river. Also, the hurt from the last joining of a church kept me from making that outward profession at Eudora. I was still doubting salvation and every time an altar call was made, I would pray the "sinners prayer" again. Life Action ministry came in 1994 or so and I remember soaking up all they were teaching. It was so different from all I knew. God was slowly undoing all I had been taught and I was basically learning what being a Christian was. It wasn't just a ticket to keep you from hell or fire insurance, it was a daily walk, a real life relationship w/ a real life Savior. Oh Praise You Jesus! I remember being at a marriage retreat a year or so later and still doubting my salvation. When an invitation was given, I immediately thought I have to settle this. I talked w/ someone and they pointed out my life was evidence of salvation already happening and encouraged me to read 1 John. I gobbled up the Word after that and began to feel more confident regarding salvation. I also knew it must be a LIFE change, a LIFE decision. At that point I rededicated my LIFE to Him. I had received salvation at 11, yet I had no clue what it meant to really live for Him. I am still learning that and it is a daily struggle to live a life pleasing to Him.
Now, back to baptism. I was 24 at the time and 6-7 months pregnant w/Chance (#2). I went into labor and found myself in the hospital on complete bed rest w/ oodles of medication that made me see double and being counseled about the danger of having a baby at 24-26 weeks. I was being given steroid shots to strenthen his lungs and we were looking at having a preemie baby w/ lots of health issues. My labor wasn't stopping and an amniocentesis was done to ck lung development. Now, talk about God getting your attention. I was stubborn and proud and there was no way I was going to go through the humiliation of walking to the front of a church for baptism and being refused by the leadership. Well, God was talking to me all this time I was flat on my back in the hospital. You find out really quick what you will do for your child. I remember one day feeling so horrible from the constant contractions (about a weeks worth now), the mag sulfate that made my vision blur so I couldnt' read or watch tv and being so lonely and really feeling alone, and God talking to me and telling me baptism was what I needed. I had salvation, but still was living how I wanted to live and not wanting to make that public profession. I made a deal w/ God that day. I would do whatever it took if only he would spare my baby. Public humiliation at that time seemed so menial. I was totally humbled, totally broken, and so tired of fighting the Holy Spirit for so many years. Isn't God good to keep after us until we finally submit to His will for our lives? That day when my doctor came with the results of the amnio and said lungs were developed and they were taking me off all meds and going to let me have the baby, I wasn't in the least worried. All meds were stopped and guess what....my labor stopped! He was in awe! I wasn't! I knew exactly who had stopped the labor. Then my labor had to be induced to get Chance into the world! God is good! I was baptised a few weeks after I had him. Now I know baptism doesn't save you, but in my life, it was the most important, crucial step to growing in Christ.
Since fully dedicating my life to Him, He has taken us down so many paths I would never have in my wildest dreams put myself into. Do I daily live for Him, totally dedicated to His will? Unfortunately, no! It is a daily struggle to not take my life off the altar and do what I want. Praise Him! He is good and He has a purpose for each of His children and will keep wooing us back to Him. Sometimes the way He has to get our attention isn't pleasant, and I'm not saying all bad things that happen are chastisement and Him trying to get our attention. By no means is He that sort of God (another lie I've had to learn to overcome). But in my case, I know what I went through was only for Him to get glory in my life and in Chance's. I can't wait to see how He is going to work in Chance's life. This child has been spared from early on and many times since. This is the one who fractured his skull at 8 y/o w/ no ill effects. God is good! Keep hanging on to what you know to be Truth, Jesus Christ!

Week 3 - Day 2 The Inhumanity of Humanity

Today's Treasure: "I will praise you forever for what you have done; in your name I will hope, for your name is good. I will praise you in the presence of your saints" Psalms 32:9

Principal Question:

How did the depravity of Saul's heart become evident?

Happy Birthday Kim!

Hope you're having a GREAT day! HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

Week 3 - Day 1 For Crying Out Loud

Today's Treasure: "I pour out my complaint before him; before him I tell my trouble. When my spirit grows faint within me, it is you who know my way." Psalms 142: 2-3

Principal Question: Based on Psalms 142, how did David respond to his overwhelming circumstances?

HAPPY BIRTHDAY KIM!

There is a really good book in the church library about Jonathan, it is by Francine Rivers. It gives you a little more insight into his life, also later when we get into David's later years, there is a book by her about Bethsheba that is really good too. Just for your info.........

Confusion regarding my salvation as well....

I was saved when I was 10 at the Bolivar Assembly of God in Ms. Dixie Hitchcock's class. But as I tell you the background leading up to this you might understand. I was 8 years old when I started being sexually molested by a family member. And I felt in my heart that it was all my fault that it was happening. That I was doing something to make this happen to me. Well, one sunday my sunday school teacher started talking about how we are all sinners and we all do things we aren't proud of and that sometimes we do things without meaning to. Well, in my little 10 year old brain I thought that is exactly what I had been doing.

So as our sunday school teacher went on, I knew I had to get saved so all this bad stuff would stop. And I do believe he came in to my heart that day, but I don't think I had the conviction that I should have had, I mainly wanted to save myself from all the pain and hurt and thought this was a quick way out of that. And it actually did stop within 3 months! GOD IS GOOD!

So let's move ahead about 24 years when I was coming back from a women's retreat with 4 van loads of crazy fun women. We had been to a river around Potosi, MO and stayed on a resort. We had had 5 nights of really getting to know one another and getting a more personal relationship with the Lord. We were on our way back and we stopped in Columbia, MO for lunch and to get out of the vans. I was sitting at a table talking with a few of the ladies and this bolt of conviction hit me square in the heart. I found my discipleship leader and drug her out to the van. I told her what had happened when I was little and then told her I never really knew if I was saved, because I felt I did it for the wrong reasons. So I was save on June 14, 1997 for the second time in the McDonald's parking lot. And I knew at the time I prayed those wonderful words and asked him to enter my heart that he was there! I think I cried tears of joy all the way from Columbia to Blue Springs along with all the other ladies in the van.

So I completely understand the issue of confusion regarding our salvations. But I can tell you this, GOD is not confused. He can remember the exact second that we asked him to be our Lord and live in our hearts and lives. He has never been confused. Wish we could be more and more like him!

Remembering my Salvation!!!

I also can understand what you girls are talking about. Lesa that is a great idea to write down everything in a journal for our children. That is something I wish I had. But I do remember the night when I was saved because how can you forget being in a sheep costume with face paint, singing in the "We Like Sheep" children's program at church. I was eight years old and I will never forget that. My mom always made me be a part of those programs whether I wanted to or not, and that is something I am sooooo thankful for because it was after that program that night that I was saved. Like you Emily I was saved at a young age and wish I had more of the specific details about that special day. But don't ever let satan put doubtful thoughts in your head...you know that your heart belongs to God even if you wish you had better memories of it!
Amber

salvation experience

Emily, I can relate to what you are saying. I was saved young too. Too young to remember the date or even how old I was. It used to really bother me, and I still would give about anything to know. But, I know for certain I was saved that day, even though I only remember glimpses of the event. One thing I plan on doing is writing down the entire experience for my kids. From the first questions to the final a-men. That way, even if they are too young to remember it all for themselves, they will have the journal entries as a memory.

remembering salvation....

Okay girls, I need some oppinions on this. Remember on the first day of the study this week, she had us write down our salvation experiences. Well, I was saved at a young age. But, all I can remember is telling my mom and her being really happy. But, in the methodist church you have to go through confirmation classes and be baptised at an older age-12 or 13-which I did. I know I am saved and that I was when I was going through all my "rebellious" things as a teenager. Because I knew who to run and fall at when things got out of control. I remember the comfort He gave me and reasurance that He had me. And the things He miraculously got me out of. I remember the friends I had that were not saved. And how I would ague my faith with them. Even though I wasn't living a right life......I was saved I believe. So, am I horrible to not know the date I was saved or what all went on? I only remember briefly talking with my mother. I am constantly hearing people say that you should remember the glorious day like it was yesterday. And I mean it REALLY eats me up! It has before made me doubt my salvation. But, if I wasn't saved, would I have the relationship I do with Christ, would He answer my prayers like He always does, would I have the peace I have...the joy? No. So, I guess what I am asking is how do I deal with not remembering? I would give anything to have this memory.