Two Are Better Than One Women's LifeGroup

Two Are Better Than One group is not meeting at this time.

Ecclesiastes 4:9-10

 Two Are Better Than One,
   because they have a good return for their labor:  

If either of them falls down,

   one can help the other up.

But pity anyone who falls

   and has no one to help them up.

Christmas Cookies in June

Yes, it's June and I've got Christmas Cookies on my mind.  This morning I was reading Matthew 5 and as I reached verse 16 "Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven."  I laughed out loud because I had crossed out the word 'light' and replaced it with 'cookie' last December for our women's bible study Christmas party devotion...

Ladies, we are like Christmas Cookies.  We may look similar in that we have the same general outline: one head, one trunk, two arms and legs, etc.  But, looking just a little bit closer and we are all very different: head shape, hair color (which changes with age, and sometimes we change it with the season), eye color, height, weight (let's not go there too long) - there are so many subtle differences in our appearance that make us the individuals God created us to be.  And, it's a good thing, otherwise how could we distinguish Mary from Martha? 

Unfortunately, sometimes we get caught up in believing that we have to look a certain way, especially in Christian circles.  We have to have certain clothing styles, or colors, or speak a certain phrase so everyone can identify us as a Christian.  That thinking can be stifling.  YOU were created to be YOU and not someone else! YOU are beautiful in your uniqueness!  And, that is where the Christmas Cookies come in. 

When baking Christmas Cookies, we take one cookie cutter, and cut out all the same shape cookies from one lump of dough and then lift the cutout and place it on the cookie sheet, decorate some and bake them, and some we bake first and then decorate.  But, even as we move the dough from the counter to the baking sheet, each piece is just ever so slightly indented with our fingerprints and as it's laid out on the sheet is just a bit mishapen... like us, in life each of us has the marks of being handled whether that handling is gentle or rough or anything in between.  Then the cookies are baked and even though all cookies rest on the same baking sheet and are in the same oven at the same temperature, some are baked perfectly, some slightly undercooked so they're a bit squishy in the center, and some browned just a bit too much so they're hard and crunchy around the edges... like us, even though we all are here surrounded in God's creation, some are seemingly perfect, some are more squishy than others and some of us can be hard and crunchy.  But, we ALL are one of His creation, and we can trust Him with what we need whether it's a bit more bake time or a gentle touch to soften some of the hardness.

Now, when it comes to decorating, cookies can be sprinkled with colored sugar granules, cinnamon or silver sugar balls and then baked,  or baked and then covered in sweet icings, but each one is decorated differently to make it unique.  You and I can 'decorate' ourselves in whatever colors and styles we are drawn to and one isn't any more 'godly' than another - it's Jesus in us that brings the Godliness.  So, go for the decorations that bring a smile to your face - if you like blue, then wear blue whether it's soft periwinkle or bright cobalt, whether it's your favorite old pair of jeans or a tropical flower in your hair - it's your choice.  Be who you are and don't hold back.  Our heavenly CREATOR created everything very diverse and unique and we are no exception.  Let's celebrate that in ourselves and in each other!  And, please enjoy my temporary 'revision' of Matthew 5:16:
"Let your cookie shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven."

Fly

     This past Christmas, my daughter and future son-in-law gave me the gift of an introductory airplane lesson and flight.  I've wanted to pilot a plane since I was a teenager, so I was very excited about it.  In preparation for this experience, I watched some online flight lesson videos and discovered there is a lot to consider before a flight (and this was just what I saw online, which is a small part of reality), such as:  physical plane integrity, instrument function, fuel & oil, weather & wind, wind direction, documentation, and very specific communication.
     Taking flight in a plane is like relating to/interacting with people.  If the plane is broken or even weakened in one area, it cannot be safely flown, but must be repaired.  With people, if we are broken or weak because of damage or wear, we usually ignore or hide it, and then are not safely/effectively 'flying.'
     With a plane, if the weather is stormy the plane cannot be flown or it could crash.  With people, when we are in the midst of a storm, we typically try to continue flying and wonder why we crash.  There are times when we need to ground ourselves... not just sit, but re-ground ourselves in God.
     When flying a plane, communication between the pilot and control tower is specific and clear.  If communication between people were consistently specific and clear we would avoid a lot of collisions.
     To fly, the plane must take off into the wind.  With people, we are prone to run from the wind because of fear.  But, if we face our fears and trust God, He will bring us to new heights.  We will fly!

Strangers and Friends

Have you ever felt like you just don't belong? You don't fit in?

That's because you don't.  I don't either.  We ALL are strangers living here in a very strange land.

Ecc. 3:11 tells us that God has set eternity in the hearts of men.
We know deep inside that something isn't quite right here - there's something more, something better. And, it's true! God made us for a better, perfect place... in HIS presence, for all eternity.

John 10:10 tells us that there is an enemy who comes to steal, kill and destroy.
He distorts the truth and tries to use it against us, to convince us that what we see with our eyes is all there is and that each of us does not belong, or fit in, for a specific reason (not tall enough, too tall, not good looking enough, too good looking so you must be dumb, not smart enough b/c you didn't go to/finish college or get good enough grades, not from a good enough background/family/neighborhood - the lies go on and on). But, these are all lies meant to steal (our joy & peace), kill (our hopes, our dreams, our purpose) and destroy (our trust in God).

The lie: this is your home, but you don't belong b/c there is something wrong with you.

The truth: this is not your permanent home; you are a stranger in a strange land - you belong to God and HE loves you!

We all have a deep longing for something better because God has given to each of us the knowledge in our spirit that there is something better. This was put there to draw you to God. So, look to Him, pray, read your bible, sing songs to Him - fill your day with the things that will draw you closer to Him.  And, call someone to join you!

And together, consider all that HE has done to give you life, real lasting life.

May you come to know Him in the perfect way He desires and may you share His love with those around you ...
and may He fill you with His presence in a new and refreshing way and give you favor as you reach out to other women - your new-found friends!

Ecclesiastes 4:9-10

"Two are better than one,
   because they have a good return for their labor:
If either of them falls down,
   one can help the other up.
But pity anyone who falls
   and has no one to help them up."

Ladies, we need each other. 

Each of us has been created very unique.  We each have been given different gifts and talents that we can share with each other, and by sharing we learn from each other and grow together in relationship - friendship.  Unfortunately, sometimes our differences keep us apart; we feel like we don't measure up because other people appear to be more talented/better gifted than ourselves and we allow jealousy or insecurity to keep us apart.  But God created us to be together, in community, to enjoy good times and help each other through rough times.  We were not created to be solitary.

The purpose of "Two Are Better Than One" is for women to gather together, acquaintances at first, but in time becoming friends, to share our sadnesses and joys, challenges and victories, to learn from each other and grow together, to study the bible, and lift all up to God in prayer.

Beginning Saturday, March 5, we are studying the Old Testament book of Esther using Beth Moore's workbook.  If you have to miss a week here and there, or even every other week - you can still be an active member of "Two Are Better Than One," and we do want you.  So pick up the workbook, grab your bible and join in.  Click on the link "Esther Study" to the right each week to see where we are so that we're all on the same page.  :)

I'm so glad you're here!