Better Than A Hallelujah Amy Grant

Awhile back I posted the lyrics to this song. Jennifer tried to put the song on our play list. We couldn't get it to work. So, I just thought I'd post a video I found on YouTube.

This Group has the ability brings things out of each of us in deep ways. Several times I've heard many in our group say, "I can't believe I said that to everyone...what will they think?!?!" Well....'we pour out our miseries, God just hears a melody. Beautiful the mess we are, honest cries of breaking hearts, are better than a hallelujah'.

Hugs.

Sooo Much Chocolate

So I just have to say it was a great night. Loved the movie, ALL the chocolate goodies and the wonderful ladies I got to share it with...here it comes.....BUT.... I felt so horrible the next day...lol.. I couldn't get to sleep until Midnight(must have been the overload of chocolate) got up at 5 am...(because husband was a little noisy)...so then I had a headache and belly ache. Popped 2 tylenol drank a cup of coffee and went to teach 2 classes, then off to work I went... I think I burned some calories off and then my belly felt better...lol... Even after all that it was sooooo worth it....thanks again ladies for a great night...

April Prayer Requests/Praise Reports

James 5:16 (New Living Translation) Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results.

A Poem

I just finished reading The Return of the Prodigal Son by Henri Nouwen. I heavily felt the Spirit on me....I am not usually like that. I felt like I had to write....this is what came out.

Returning

I want to be compassionate not comparative

I want to be forgiving not bitter

I want to open my arms not walk away

I want to embrace not judge

I want to be full of joy not cynical

I want to be love not fear

I want to have more of Him not less of me

April 26, 2010

Chew on this...4/20 Mmmmm...

Chocolate - so rich, sweet, dense and so satisfying to the soul! No wonder we are having a chocolate party next week!! This group does NOTHING short of rich, sweet, full and satisfying to the soul!! I can't wait to finish watching Chocolat with you all next Tuesday!

Last Tuesday there were several simple, yet profound statements made. For those who couldn't make it...your voices were missed!

Here is a short overview of our discussion and thought-provoking questions:

• Regarding our forgiveness rocks: Some shared how 'heavy' it felt to carry throughout the week, how much it brought the 'subject' to light, and how resentment plays a role in that forgiveness part. A paraphrased quote from Augsberger ~ Initial resentment is a healthy first step to knowing something is wrong because it propels us forward~ If left unresolved, it can turn toxic. But, where do I begin?...
• Do I begin with forgiving myself ?
• What makes it so difficult to forgive myself?!?
• What is the difference between accepting and forgiving, excusing and forgiving, tolerating and forgiving, forgetting and forgiving?
• And lastly...Just like chocolate - simple and yet so profound - Forgiveness has already been offered. My job is to simply accept it.

On another note....I have posted some more prayer requests/praise reports on the April Prayer Request/Praise Reports topic.

People Get Ready

If you watch American Idol, then you saw Crystal Bowersox's amazing performance of this song. The lyrics are beautiful. Just wanted to share.

People Get Ready

People get ready, there's a train a comin'
You don't need no baggage, you just get on board
All you need is faith to hear the diesels hummin'
Don't need no ticket, you just thank the Lord

People get ready for the train to Jordan
It's picking up passengers from coast to coast
Faith is the key, open the doors and board 'em
There's hope for all among those loved the most.
There ain't no room for the hopeless sinner
Who would hurt all mankind just to save his own
Have pity on those whose chances grow thinner
For there's no hiding place against the Kingdom's throne

So people get ready, there's a train a comin'
You don't need no baggage, you just get on board
All you need is faith to hear the diesels hummin'
Don't need no ticket, you just thank the Lord

Chew on this...4/6 & 4/13

And so we begin a new journey! This time we have some returning faces/hearts and some new faces/hearts adding to our colorful friendship. My expectancy grows evermore as I wonder what He has in store for us...

Many of you aren't able to attend the study this time around. So, I am glad the blog is available to you. I love keeping the discussion going throughout the week, and I hope this avenue of communication allows those of you who can't attend an opportunity to still participate. I invite you to share your thoughts, always remembering this is a safe place to share when you feel prompted. I love others to share because I know I have only ONE perspective of how the discussions move. It's nice to see what OTHERS see, and it only makes our friendship grow deeper.

Forgiveness + Healing + Transformation = LIFE

John 10:10 - "I came so they can have real and eternal life, more and better life than they ever dreamed of."

We certainly dove right on it at the last two meetings! Kathy recommended keeping a journal to jot down questions or thoughts that come to each of us throughout the week. I may fill an entire book this time!!! haha. Here is a glimpse of our discussion:

• What forgiveness is NOT: forgetting, excusing, fixing, instantaneous, about losing, always reconciliation, having an expectation for others to change


• We received an excerpt from Elieen Guder's To Live In Love (I'm trying to figure out how to post this on the blog)


• Kathy recommended some scripture to meditate. Matthew 6:12-15, Matthew 18: 15-18, Matthew 18:21-22


• We also discussed understanding value regarding God's forgiveness and our forgiveness toward others. How are they related?? If I don't feel worthy/valued in God forgiving me, how could I possibly begin to understand forgiving others??? (back to The Apple)


• Sin...what is it?? Definition: Missing the mark or dis-ease. Forgiveness boosts the immune system, while lack of forgiveness suppresses the immune system.


• What are some sins I think others have committed against me? What are some sins I have committed?


• Some things that block forgiveness: pride, not wanting to be vulnerable, righteousness, not wanting to face suffering/pain, vengeance.


• Some questions to contemplate: 1) Do I need to forgive myself? In what areas am I unable to forgive myself? What is it about those areas make it difficult for me to accept God's forgiveness?
• Lastly, we all chose one rock from a basket, which was to represent any lack of forgiveness you are holding. Carry the rock to remind you this week. And when you are ready...let it go and tell someone you did.

For next week's discussion....Forgiving God. (and we are going to watch the movie Chocolat!)

Wow. We covered a lot! So much to chew on. I'm still holding my rock, by the way.

I could never forgive.....

Last night's discussion was wonderful...I left feeling full and with lots to think on. Thank you all!! One statement made last night about forgiveness of a marital affair had me thinking about this amazing couple I have had the chance to hear speak several times. Their testimony does not show what people can do, but what GOD can do. I thought I would share it with you....their names are Bob and Audrey Meisner:

http://blog.bobandaudrey.com/

Quote from Mother Theresa

Pastor Luke quoted this Sunday and I thought of sharing it with you sisters.

The Fruit of Prayer

The fruit of silence is prayer
the fruit of prayer is faith
the fruit of faith is love
the fruit of love is service
the fruit of service is peace.

- Mother Teresa

Another Henri Nouwen....how fitting!

God continues to amaze me! He knew we would be studying forgiveness....this came today:

Being Handed Over to Suffering

People who live close together can be sources of great sorrow for one another. When Jesus chose his twelve apostles, Judas was one of them. Judas is called a traitor. A traitor, according to the literal meaning of the Greek word for "betraying," is someone who hands the other over to suffering.

The truth is that we all have something of the traitor in us because each of us hands our fellow human beings over to suffering somehow, somewhere, mostly without intending or even knowing it. Many children, even grown-up children, can experience deep anger toward their parents for having protected them too much or too little. When we are willing to confess that we often hand those we love over to suffering, even against our best intentions, we will be more ready to forgive those who, mostly against their will, are the causes of our pain.

Had to Post.....Henri Nouwen

I pray this speaks about someone in your life...I know it has in mine!

Friends as Reminders of Our Truth

Sometimes our sorrow overwhelms us so much that we no longer can believe in joy. Life just seems a cup filled to the brim with war, violence, rejection, loneliness, and endless disappointments.

At times like this we need our friends to remind us that crushed grapes can produce tasty wine. It might be hard for us to trust that any joy can come from our sorrow, but when we start taking steps in the direction of our friends' advice, even when we ourselves are not yet able to feel the truth of what they say, the joy that seemed to be lost may be found again and our sorrow may become livable.