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After a few weeks, this blog location will be removed. Don't worry if you forget the link to the new location, you can always find the Crossmark's Women's Blog at www.crossmarkonline.com.
Check out our new site! We have some fun pictures posted!
Tuesday, August 10, 2010
Friday, June 18, 2010
A Time for Everything
Ecclesiastes 3:
1 There is a time for everything,
and a season for every activity under heaven:
1 There is a time for everything,
and a season for every activity under heaven:
2 a time to be born and a time to die,
a time to plant and a time to uproot,
3 a time to kill and a time to heal,
a time to tear down and a time to build,
4 a time to weep and a time to laugh,
a time to mourn and a time to dance,
5 a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them,
a time to embrace and a time to refrain,
6 a time to search and a time to give up,
a time to keep and a time to throw away,
7 a time to tear and a time to mend,
a time to be silent and a time to speak,
8 a time to love and a time to hate,
a time for war and a time for peace.
9 What does the worker gain from his toil? 10 I have seen the burden God has laid on men. 11 He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the hearts of men; yet they cannot fathom what God has done from beginning to end. 12 I know that there is nothing better for men than to be happy and do good while they live. 13 That everyone may eat and drink, and find satisfaction in all his toil—this is the gift of God. 14 I know that everything God does will endure forever; nothing can be added to it and nothing taken from it. God does it so that men will revere him.
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
Bad Girls of the Bible - Eve
What labels a woman as "bad" hasn't changed since Eve. All the usual suspects are there: disobedience, lust, denial, greed, anger, lying, adultery, laziness, cruelty, selfishness, idolatry.
Badness - in other words, sin - doesn't have to be that dramatic. it can be something on the sidelines: an unkind word, a whisper of gossip, a neglected request, an unrepentant attitude, an intentionally forgotten event.
Ouch.
It all boils down to a heart that's hardened against God - however temporary the condition, however isolated the tough spot.
To that extent, we've all been Bad Girls.
And to a woman, we long to be Good Girls.
We have a tendency to spend our energy comparing, falling short, asking ourselves "How do they do that". It's discouraging, even maddening. It also doesn't get us any closer to God.
So we are looking at women who got a lot wrong. Where to begin? With the first - Eve.
Satan isn't called the Father of Lies for nothing. He opened his chat with Eve using a deliberate lie - misquoting God, even putting words in the Lord's mouth.
By twisting the Lord's decree, Satan also tossed out one of the big stumbling blocks he still uses with great success today - making God look less than fair, kind or loving. When tragedy strikes - a precious child is killed in an accident or a young mother dies of cancer - Satan tempts our faith with the same sort of line: "Would a good God allow that?"
If she desired wisdom, all she needed to do was ask, as Solomon did, and God would no doubt have given her all she could handle.
What can we learn from Eve?
Don't get into a debate with Satan - get out!
We can't stop the Adversary from whispering in our ears, but we can refuse to listen, and we can definitely refuse to respond. No arguing, no debating!
When the serpents in our lives say, "Did God really say...?" let's be the first to declare, "No, God did not!" Because Eve did not remember the words of God's one commandment accurately, she left herself wide open for temptation to rush in. Studying, even memorizing, verses from the Bible gives us the strength to say no because we know.
Women are physical, emotional, and spiritual in nature, and all three areas have their weak spots. In Eve's case, the serpent sank his fangs into all three. He appealed to her physical appetite for food, her emotional appreciation of beauty, and her spiritual desire to be like God. Satan uses the same tactics today. He's not creative in the least, just persistent. When we identify our weaknesses in all three area, and then arm ourselves with biblical defense methods, we can keep from experiencing our own daily (hourly!) reenactment of the Fall.
Badness - in other words, sin - doesn't have to be that dramatic. it can be something on the sidelines: an unkind word, a whisper of gossip, a neglected request, an unrepentant attitude, an intentionally forgotten event.
Ouch.
It all boils down to a heart that's hardened against God - however temporary the condition, however isolated the tough spot.
To that extent, we've all been Bad Girls.
And to a woman, we long to be Good Girls.
We have a tendency to spend our energy comparing, falling short, asking ourselves "How do they do that". It's discouraging, even maddening. It also doesn't get us any closer to God.
So we are looking at women who got a lot wrong. Where to begin? With the first - Eve.
"Then the LORD God made a women from the rib he had taken out of the man, and he brought her to the man. Genesis 2:22"Now you know she had to be a dish. She skipped childhood completely, so no chickenpox scars. No weird things from Aunt so and so, no inherited flat feet. God did everything perfectly. She was also sinless.
The man said,"This is now bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called woman,; for she was taken out of man." Genesis 2:23
For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and they will become one flesh. Genesis 2:24
Now the serpent was more crafty than any of the wild animals the LORD God had made. Genesis 3:1
He said to the woman, "Did God really say, 'You must not eat from any tree in the garden'?" Genesis 3:1Why Eve and not Adam? Was she in the wrong place at the wrong time, or did the serpent go looking for her? And why, oh, why didn't she realize that if none of the other animals talked, this one shouldn't have either?
Satan isn't called the Father of Lies for nothing. He opened his chat with Eve using a deliberate lie - misquoting God, even putting words in the Lord's mouth.
By twisting the Lord's decree, Satan also tossed out one of the big stumbling blocks he still uses with great success today - making God look less than fair, kind or loving. When tragedy strikes - a precious child is killed in an accident or a young mother dies of cancer - Satan tempts our faith with the same sort of line: "Would a good God allow that?"
The woman said to the serpent, "We may eat fruit from the trees in the garden.." Genesis 3:2First mistake - talking with the serpent
"...but God did say, 'You must not eat fruit from the tree that is in the middle of the garden, and you must not touch it, or you will die.'" Genesis 3:3Notice her second mistake - she added to the Word of God. The Lord never told her to "not touch it", just not to eat of the fruit.
"You will not surely die," the serpent said to the woman. "For God knows that when you eat of it..."Genesis 3:4,5The serpent subtly shifted the conversation away from the Word of God and toward the desires of man, all the while invoking God's name.
"...your eyes will be opened..."Genesis 3:5Can't you hear Eve now? "Gee, I didn't know my eyes were closed. Am I missing something good?
"...and you will be like God..." Genesis 3:5 "...knowing good and evil." Genesis 3:5
When the woman saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eye and also desirable for gaining wisdom she took some and ate it. Genesis 3:6Notice the serpent never said another word. He didn't have to. The fruit appealed to her fleshly appetite, her ego longed to be equal with God, to have that much understanding and creativity and power.
If she desired wisdom, all she needed to do was ask, as Solomon did, and God would no doubt have given her all she could handle.
What can we learn from Eve?
Don't get into a debate with Satan - get out!
We can't stop the Adversary from whispering in our ears, but we can refuse to listen, and we can definitely refuse to respond. No arguing, no debating!
Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. James 4:7Know God's Word so you won't be fooled.
When the serpents in our lives say, "Did God really say...?" let's be the first to declare, "No, God did not!" Because Eve did not remember the words of God's one commandment accurately, she left herself wide open for temptation to rush in. Studying, even memorizing, verses from the Bible gives us the strength to say no because we know.
I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you. Psalm 119:11Watch out for the Big Three
Women are physical, emotional, and spiritual in nature, and all three areas have their weak spots. In Eve's case, the serpent sank his fangs into all three. He appealed to her physical appetite for food, her emotional appreciation of beauty, and her spiritual desire to be like God. Satan uses the same tactics today. He's not creative in the least, just persistent. When we identify our weaknesses in all three area, and then arm ourselves with biblical defense methods, we can keep from experiencing our own daily (hourly!) reenactment of the Fall.
For everything in the world-the cravings of sinful man, the lust of his eyes and the boasting of what he has and does-comes not from the Father but from the world. 1 John 2:16Excerpts from Liz Curtis Higgs book Bad Girls of the Bible
Thursday, April 8, 2010
What Kind of Girl Are You?
Do you consider yourself a former bad girl, a bad girl, a good girl, always a good girl, somewhere in between? How exactly do you consider yourself?
Think about that. We all have some image of ourselves (right or wrong).
How about joining a group of ladies in that exploration? Pick up a copy of Liz Curtis Higgs book Bad Girls of the Bible. If you are unable to join us on Thursday mornings at the YMCA in Lake Caroline due to the location or work schedules, - come back to this site and comment on what you are learning.
Looking forward to everyone in the group leaving comments! We'll try to leave questions or thoughts to generate discussion.
Pick up your book in the next day or two! Questions to follow!
Think about that. We all have some image of ourselves (right or wrong).
How about joining a group of ladies in that exploration? Pick up a copy of Liz Curtis Higgs book Bad Girls of the Bible. If you are unable to join us on Thursday mornings at the YMCA in Lake Caroline due to the location or work schedules, - come back to this site and comment on what you are learning.
Looking forward to everyone in the group leaving comments! We'll try to leave questions or thoughts to generate discussion.
Pick up your book in the next day or two! Questions to follow!
Saturday, April 3, 2010
Beginning Thursday
Bad Girls of The Bible - 11 week Bible Study
If you are in the Columbia area, we will be meeting Thursdays at 10:15-11:30 a.m. at the YMCA at Lake Carolina in the Spirit, Mind & Body Room.
In Bad Girls of the Bible, author, Liz Curtis Higgs offers a clear-sighted, life-changing approach to understanding those "other women" in Scripture-Delilah, Jezebel, Rehab, Lot's wife, and six more. She combines a contemporary fictional retelling of their stories with a solid, verse-by-verse study of their lives and the lessons we can learn from them.
We'll be commenting on this study here, so whether you can join us in person or here at this blog, we look forward to your comments!
If you are in the Columbia area, we will be meeting Thursdays at 10:15-11:30 a.m. at the YMCA at Lake Carolina in the Spirit, Mind & Body Room.
In Bad Girls of the Bible, author, Liz Curtis Higgs offers a clear-sighted, life-changing approach to understanding those "other women" in Scripture-Delilah, Jezebel, Rehab, Lot's wife, and six more. She combines a contemporary fictional retelling of their stories with a solid, verse-by-verse study of their lives and the lessons we can learn from them.
We'll be commenting on this study here, so whether you can join us in person or here at this blog, we look forward to your comments!
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
Kicking the Procrastination Habit
"I'll get to it--when I get a chance."
There are some projects that you can just whip right through. And then there are those projects that just drag and drag....do you know what I mean? Those are the things we say "I'll get to it--when I get a chance."
You know what that means, don't you? You'll never get to it!
Here are some simple ways to kick the procrastination habit and start getting some things done.
1. BREAK IT DOWN. While it may seem overwhelming, don't look at everything as one big project. Break it down into small projects.
2. ASSIGN A SPECIFIC DEADLINE (date and time) for each small project.
3. WRITE DOWN what your small projects and deadlines are. It is a great source of accomplishment when you can cross off something! It also will motivate you to continue on!
4. TELL SOMEONE. Tell a friend or loved one. Discuss decisions with others if you need to. Sometimes when you talk with others, that is all the motivation you need to get started.
5. PLAN SOME SORT OF CELEBRATION for when you have accomplished your goals. It doesn't have to be a lot. You may find that having the project done is celebration enough!
"Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might; for there is no work or device or knowledge or wisdom in the grave where you are going." Ecclesiastes 9:10
There are some projects that you can just whip right through. And then there are those projects that just drag and drag....do you know what I mean? Those are the things we say "I'll get to it--when I get a chance."
You know what that means, don't you? You'll never get to it!
Here are some simple ways to kick the procrastination habit and start getting some things done.
1. BREAK IT DOWN. While it may seem overwhelming, don't look at everything as one big project. Break it down into small projects.
2. ASSIGN A SPECIFIC DEADLINE (date and time) for each small project.
3. WRITE DOWN what your small projects and deadlines are. It is a great source of accomplishment when you can cross off something! It also will motivate you to continue on!
4. TELL SOMEONE. Tell a friend or loved one. Discuss decisions with others if you need to. Sometimes when you talk with others, that is all the motivation you need to get started.
5. PLAN SOME SORT OF CELEBRATION for when you have accomplished your goals. It doesn't have to be a lot. You may find that having the project done is celebration enough!
"Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might; for there is no work or device or knowledge or wisdom in the grave where you are going." Ecclesiastes 9:10
Saturday, February 13, 2010
SNOW - Yes, even in South Carolina!!
Something happened February 12th that doesn't happen much in South Carolina----SNOW!
Send us a picture or two, and tell us how your family enjoyed this beautiful day!
Send your pictures and stories to: crossmarkwomen@gmail.com.
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
Girlfriends for God
Girlfriends for God - A daily devotion for women written by either Sharon Jaynes, Gwen Smith or Mary Southerland.
Read here to see what message is featured today.
Philippians 4:4 "Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!"
Read here to see what message is featured today.
Philippians 4:4 "Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!"
Wednesday, January 6, 2010
Recipes and Diets
The new year is also a great time to reevaluate our diets in general. The majority of our diet should be from plant products, that's the way God designed us in the first place. How about just grabbing some fresh fruits and veges, steaming those veges, and adding a loaf of bread (Publix has a great 5-grain bread, both in sour dough and Italian)? If you really want to add some meat, get some chicken breasts, steam them using chicken broth instead of water. Just pour some lemon juice on them and add some Mrs. Dash before you cook them. Make sure you steam them until there is no pink (it goes faster if you cut them into smaller pieces).
If you want some great recipes and a wealth of good dietary info, I have found a great book - Disease Proof Your Children by Dr. Joel Furhman. (also, for adults, Eat Right). You can get it at the library or www.drfurhman.com .
Let's have a healthier (and quicker and easier) meal plan together.
Posted by Rachel Hutcherson
If you want some great recipes and a wealth of good dietary info, I have found a great book - Disease Proof Your Children by Dr. Joel Furhman. (also, for adults, Eat Right). You can get it at the library or www.drfurhman.com .
Let's have a healthier (and quicker and easier) meal plan together.
Posted by Rachel Hutcherson
Saturday, January 2, 2010
Calling All Quick Recipes!
Okay, we've had the Holiday meals, all the stuff we make just for those special occasions. Now what?
Have you been here....standing at the grocery store staring at the meat counter or shelves wondering WHAT am I going to make for dinner tonight, let alone this week?
Maybe you are organized and have your meals planned out for the week. Great! If that's you....please help those of us who just get overwhelmed sometimes trying to come up with some new ideas!
Email your recipes to crossmarkwomen@gmail.com and we'll post it for you. Thanks in advance...the grocery store clerks will thank you, they are probably getting tired of the blank stares.
Have you been here....standing at the grocery store staring at the meat counter or shelves wondering WHAT am I going to make for dinner tonight, let alone this week?
Maybe you are organized and have your meals planned out for the week. Great! If that's you....please help those of us who just get overwhelmed sometimes trying to come up with some new ideas!
Email your recipes to crossmarkwomen@gmail.com and we'll post it for you. Thanks in advance...the grocery store clerks will thank you, they are probably getting tired of the blank stares.
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