11/18/08
"It's A Tough Road...But I Want the Fruits!" That was the quote of the week ever so appropriately and timely delivered by Dianne!
Digging into the Word of God to realize and exercise the fruits of the Holy Spirit...

GALATIANS 5:22 "But the fruit of the spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self control.
5:25 "Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit."
Our meeting last night brought us all to the place where we were reminded that we must PRAY FIRST (Thanks for that one Trish!) before we respond or in my case...REACT! Everyone of us indeed had several current events in their lives that required all the fruits of the Spirit.
Kay talked about the JOY she experienced while praying with her 3 & 1/2 year old grandson, Austin...that precious moment of pure JOY completely minimized the unkindness and impatience directed at her last week. Her emotional wounds were instantly healed... JOY can change your circumstances in a single second! When Kay read from scripture,(Proverbs 15:1 & 1 Corinthians 4:21) her voice had a tone of gentleness and peace. It occurred to me the moment I heard her speak.. that when I read God's word (silently or out loud) I find I am speaking softly with a gentle spirit and with a special JOY in my heart!
Shirley reminded us all of that CIRCLE she lives in. That sphere where she dresses in the Armour of God and stays within that protection. The moment any of us step out of that circle without our Armour...you know who is lurking outside the circle waiting to trip you up! Shirley is so wise. She has learned to say a little with a BIG impact! Her scripture she brought to us is Colossians 1:10 & James 3:17-18. She warns us that our thoughts are often sinful and we must jump back in that circle ASAP so that we can keep the enemy out! Out of our minds!
Shirley has a new bumper sticker...a nondenominational one...LIVING A LIFE WORTHY OF THE LORD!
Trish said...I can never be in His Word too much... wonderful wisdom from Trish! PEACE is what Trish wants. She loves the fruits of the Holy Spirit and has a true desire for having them all! After her time spent in the word, she came to realize that three in particular...Peace, Gentleness, and Joy were missing in her life. She had us look at Romans 5:1 & 15:13. Also, Trish took us to Hebrews 12:2 where the good news that "JOY awaits you" is written!
For me... I had a week of total weakness! My fellow believers of wise women filled my heart with renewal and hope by their humility and grace. By their words of wisdom they imparted through the Word of God... I am aware that my gift of Salvation through Jesus Christ is my greatest Treasure. Having said that..my husband, family & friends are my Gems that reflect complete unconditional LOVE. If I can be QUIET...I will receive and recognize the fruits of the Spirit.
Lord, help me be more like you. AMEN...oh yes...please help me be quiet too :)
Be Kind and know you are loved by your Heavenly Father,
Marianne

11/11/08 Greetings! I have just returned from a week of family fun! Our Wise Women meet again on the 17th. I will catch you up on our research WORDS for the past two weeks...LOVE, JOY, PEACE, PATIENCE, KINDNESS, GOODNESS, FAITHFULNESS, GENTLENESS, AND SELF CONTROL!
The fruits of the Holy Spirit!! Blessings, Marianne

11/05/08
Today I give thanks for the peaceful election of our new President Elect! My prayer is that all people will embrace this historical event with grace. May they give thanks for their freedom and unite in prayer for protection and divine guidance for our nation and her new leader. May all followers of Jesus Christ strive to be examples and instruments of peace.

My personal prayer is this...
LORD, UNTIL YOU RETURN, LET ME BE A LIGHT TO OTHERS AND SHARE THE GOOD NEWS OF YOUR GOSPEL SO THAT THEY TOO MAY BE SAVED AND JUDGED ONLY BY YOU THE ALMIGHTY, ALL KNOWING CREATOR & KING! NO MATTER THEIR COLOR, CREED, LIFESTYLE LET ME BE YOUR SERVANT AND BE MY BROTHERS KEEPER JUST AS YOU HAVE COMMANDED US TO DO. THANK YOU FOR YOUR GRACE AND MERCY. MAY I BE AN INSTRUMENT TO LEAD THE LOST IN YOUR DIRECTION AND LET YOU CHANGE THEIR HEARTS. I LOVE YOU LORD...I TRUST YOU.....I WILL BEGIN EACH DAY TO BECOME MORE LIKE YOU. AMEN.

Thank you everyone for your lovely wishes for me today my 55th birthday! I am very happy and can't wait until "Senior Tuesday" to get 10% off at Ross for Less! :) Marianne

11/04/08
Catalog of Wisdom... Last nights small group was filled with the wisdom only God can impart! Our words for the week were PATIENT AND FOOLISH... the scriptures that everyone brought to the table are so powerful. The one that hit me hard was Proverbs 28:26... HE WHO TRUSTS IN HIMSELF IS A FOOL! Also, Proverbs 20:30 It is to a man's (woman's) honor to avoid strife,but,...every FOOL is quick to quarrel! For a couple of us this FOOL business invaded our peace this week in a big way...(guess who was one of them? Yup, yours truly).
1 Timothy 1:15-16
Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners (people who live apart from God) of whom I am the worst. But for that very reason I was shown mercy, SO THAT...in ME, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display His unlimited patience as an example for those who would believe on Him and receive eternal life.
Well, yet again I find myself being way too hard on myself & others! I seem to forget that I am not perfect! In TRUTH...all I have to do is behave more like Jesus...so simple to grasp and so difficult to accomplish when I allow the ways of the world to penetrate my peace that surpasses all understanding. How can I stop this world from creeping in??? Ah Ha...REBUKE the evilness and call forth the Holy Spirit to comfort and guide me...I know He arrives the moment I call on Him...I can feel Him, Hear Him and suddenly I am calm. The world and it's ugly ways continues to exist outside of who I really am. Today I will make my list of apologies I must make in order to be fit for my King to be fully glorified. Whenever I walk the walk...someone notices. Someone who needs to notice.
I remember my mom always saying to me..." Marianne, will you just behave!" Oh, I behaved alright :) like a FOOL!
There are many who say to me that I am a FOOL to believe in a man named Jesus. To put my life into the hands that are unseen by my human eyes. I look into the eyes of my son, his son's and into the eyes of my faithful husband and I am overwhelmed with LOVE....and LOVE IS PATIENT! Jesus is LOVE...unlimited patience is what 1Timothy: 15-16 told us about Jesus. Today, I will be more like Him. Tomorrow will once again be today and I will seek God's wisdom and follow. My mama didn't raise no FOOL! :) How sweet it is to know that perfection in my human self is not mine to have....now that is wisdom! Can I get a witness?
Peace, Marianne

11/02/08 This morning at church, I was blessed to be 1/3 of the trio singing "Peace Speaker" our band & choir backed us up! I absolutely love singing with Dave & Annette. I am grateful to live in a country where we are free to worship and sing our praises to the Lord! My dear friend , Dyan and her husband Richard surprised me by attending this early morning service...I was VERY happy to see them! Dyan, if you are reading this...come on over to my place on Monday nights (6:30 pm) for our small group meeting...bring Teresa! We have a very casual group of very loving ladies. We each share our perspective on what God's word speaks to us. Everyone is down to earth while reaching for the heavens!
Love to all, Marianne

Saturday 11/1/08

WOW! This week has been trying to say the least... so many disappointments & major frustrations! My experiences this week have been so geared towards having patience....Job I am not! So many disappointments I truly need more patience in all areas of my life. I discovered that I am not very patient with myself as well as others. I will spare you the details of this weeks unresolved issues and just say that God knows what we need to hear and when! I am looking forward to the 3rd when the Women and their Wisdom check in! Let there be peace on earth, Marianne

Monday October 27th 2008
Our subject last week was TRUTH. Every woman had some very powerful insight and scripture to match up with it.
Cindy had us look at the book of Acts. She shared with us that the worst lie is the one with ..."a little truth in it", when we attach an untruth to the truth...we are dishonoring the commands of God's Word.
Shirley talked to us about being TRUE to what you know is righteous. She knows that God wants us to speak the truth in every circumstance. Romans 3:4, John 6:55 and John 7:28 Have no fear for Shirley will tell you straight up the truth and nothing but the truth!
Diane is stuck in Proverbs and rightfully so (good place to be stuck!).... check it out for yourself... Prov 14:25-26 & 16:21 and then Prov 17:4 think on that one!
Kay talked about how I lie all the time when I tell her how nice she looks!!! NOT! Kay, you always look nice and I ain't lyin' :) actually, I lost my notes on Kay's scripture references! I am safe because I know she will forgive me. She always has a good and honest word to say!
I reflected on how God's Promises are Truth. I also confessed that I actually told two tiny untruths this week that were harmless...wrong. I became very aware that the evil one tried to trip me up because I was preparing for my speaking engagement where the subject matter is truth! Let us not forget that we are to be awake and ready to rebuke Satan the moment he tries to play in our minds! Honesty is the best policy and when you are the truthful one and the liar seems to win...remember this...God will bless you in a mighty way for your righteousness. All you have to do is be aware of your blessings and know that God's Grace is sufficient! Joyfully yours, Marianne