Tuesday Thoughts

Are words powerful?

Well, in a word,

yes.

Especially powerful are the words of women. Think of all the people you speak to-husbands, children, friends, neighbors, relatives, co-workers, etc. There are many opportunities to influence for the positive. Or the negative.

In the ladies' Tuesday morning Bible study this week we started our discussion of what the Bible has to say about words and the tongue.

God has many things to tell us about the tongue.

James 3:3-5
"Now if we put the bits into the horses' mouths so that they may obey us, we direct their entire body as well.
Behold, the ships also, though they are so great and are driven by strong winds, are still directed by a very small rudder, wherever the inclination of the pilot desires.
So als the tongue is a small part of the body, and yet it boasts of great things. Behold, how great a forest is set aflame by such a small fire!"

Would you consider joining us in reading "The Power of a Woman's Words" by Sharon Jaynes? If you can't join us on Tuesday mornings, we can still discuss and share on this blog. :)

Next week we'll cover part 2, God's Incredible Gift.

posted by Courtney Sanchez

Tuesday Thoughts

Has anyone ever given any thought to the women who followed Jesus during his ministry? Lots of attention is given to the disciples, but those followers who are focused on the most during Jesus's final hours, and at His burial and resurrection, are the women. Mary Magdalene, among others, has a special place in this story. She was there as Jesus hung suffering on the cross, she was there as he breathed his last, and she was there as he was placed in the tomb. I don't think there was anything that would have prevented her from being there for the last bit of his life on this earth. Jesus had driven out her demons. Seven of them. (Did anyone else remember that she was a demoniac? I believe that little piece of information had slipped past me.) He had freed her and given her life back-and eternal life at that!

Mary Magdalene was a follower of Jesus. She didn't just talk the talk, she walked the walk. Literally. She followed him as he ministered.

Luke 8: 1-2
"And it came about soon afterwards, that He began going about from one city and village to another, proclaiming and preaching the kingdom of God; and the twelve were with Him, and also some women who had been healed of evil spirits and sicknesses: Mary who was called Magdalene, from whom seven demons had gone out."

We know that the disciples followed Jesus becasue he called them to. Mary Magdalene followed Jesus because she wanted to. She must have had such love and gratitude that she left everything to follow, serve, and learn from her Master. We don't know what she gave up (other than her seven demons) to follow. We do know that she contributed finacially to support His ministry.

Luke 8:3
"..and many others who were contributing to their support out of their private means."

Apparently many have viewed Mary as a prostitute or as having had an intimate relationship with Jesus. There is no evidence in scripture that this was true. We know from the whole of scripture that the latter simply is false. Mary had a love for Jesus, and He had a love for her in exactly the same way as He loves us-a Lover of our souls. Mary continued to follow Him right to the foot of the cross.

John 19:25
"...But there were standing by the cross of Jesus His mother, and His mother's sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene."

We can only imagine the heartbreak she (and all the others) must have experienced at her Leader, her Teacher, her Friend hanging, bloody on that cross. The suffering He was enduring, knowing that she could not help Him. The insults, the anguish, the danger she was putting herself in publicly associating herself with Him, a condemned man. And, the grief she must've experienced knowing that the very One who saved her from her demons, was now leaving her.

We know what's to come. We know Jesus has victory. But, at that time, did she really understand what was to come? Why does scripture give so much emphasis to Mary Magdalene and the other women during Jesus's final hours? What do you think brought them to the foot of the cross? Were the other male disciples present also, and why were they not given as much attention here?

What are your thoughts?

posted by Courtney Sanchez

Great Summer Pasta Recipes

Spaghetti Salad

Take 16 oz cooked spaghetti noodles - drained and cooled and add the below ingredients
Italian or Ceasar dressing (add as much or as little as you like)
1 diced Bell Pepper
1 diced tomato
1 med can black olives
1 diced cucumber
1 diced small onion
garlic salt
pepper

This is a great quick and easy summer recipe. You can omit or add to the list of above ingredients.


Pasta Salad

1 box of cooked tri colored pasta - drained and cooled - add the below ingredients
Italian or Ceasar dressing (add as little or as much as you like)
2 tbls of mayo (more or less - depending on your taste)
1 can of ham, tuna, or chicken - drain and flake
1 can of baby Leseur peas - drained
Diced celery (as little or as much as you like)
garlic salt
pepper


This is also a great quick and easy summer recipe. You can omit or add to the list of above ingredients.


Recipes Sent in by Jeri Strickland

Human Logic Vs. "Blind" Faith

I have been pondering this issue for months now. Over and over in my life people have told me that there has to be a balance between logic and faith. "God expects you to use the brain He gave you." "God helps those who help themselves." The advice goes on and on. But is that really the way it should be? Was it logical for men to leave their thriving fishing business, families, and homes to follow an unknown teacher and carpenter? Was is logical for Abraham to get up and go when he didn't even know where he was going? Maybe human logic is what kept Terah from God's blessing - after all, he left his home to head to Canaan and then stopped when he got to Haran. (Genesis 11:27-32. ) What did Terah miss out on because of logic? What have we all missed out on? I think I have probably missed out on a lot of things. Many of them I didn't even realize. How many things in our lives do we do just because that is the way it is done? How many things do we believe "that's God's will" just because it works out logically? How often do we really and truly seek His face, seek His path, earnestly and without prejudice? There are so many examples of this - take birth control for one. Before we got married, my mom took me to get a prescription for the pill, because that was what you did until you were ready to start a family. I never questioned it, never even thought to ask what God wanted us to do (not that I had asked about the marriage, my career, or anything else for that matter). We planned out how many and how far apart our kids would be and that is what happened. When things worked out so that doctors said we should only have four - that was great, that's what we had decided too, so it must be God's will, right? But did we ask? No. What about where to live - city, state, even house? We looked and looked, but did we really do what God wanted? Did we really ask and listen for the answer? What about school curriculum? What about money we spend? What about getting a dog? What about what I had for breakfast this morning? How often do we ask? How often do we really listen for the answer? When we get the answer, and it isn't logical, how often do we think we must have misheard? But when people have the faith to follow, no matter how illogical, how often do we question them, criticize even? I know I catch myself doing just that, but doesn't that show a huge lack of faith and an even bigger lack of understanding what faith really is? Life isn't always logical, but God always knows the best way. Maybe we need to focus on more faith and less logic...

Rachel Hutcherson

Closet of Blessing- A Success!

Closet of Blessing was a complete success! We had well over 300 people come through the doors on Sunday to be blessed with warm welcomes, school supplies, clothing and shoes. Many who visited (as well as those who helped) were touched by this act of kindness. Everything ran very smoothly and we were able to give out most of what we received as donations.

Remember to continue to pray for the ones who came, that those who don't know Christ would come to know Him, and those who already know Him would grow in Him.

Closet of Blessing

It's almost that time! Closet of Blessing is almost upon us. Tags are being ripped and clothes are being sorted.

Here are some points to pray for.....

1. That God would be glorified through our efforts.

2. That we would have enough usable clothing, shoes and school items to bless those who come on Sunday.

3. That those who are in need would somehow hear about it and come on Sunday.

4. That hearts would be touched through this display of kindness in a way that would draw them nearer to Christ.

5. That all logistics-sorting, set up, clean up, food and on the actually morning of- would run smoothly and effectively.

6. That the people of Crossmark would be blessed by this opportunity to serve others.

7. Did I mention to pray that God would be glorified?

Thanks for helping and lifting our requests up to Him!

Stairmaster and Lounge Chair

Been thinking about that "Stairmaster and Lounge Chair" sermon from Sunday. I've been there...stepping up and down....and beating myself up for each mistake and poor decision I made in the past. I mean from even years ago. Just where the enemy likes you, beating yourself up, feeling unworthy, not feeling loved unconditionally. We wear that stuff like a old coat, trudging up and down on the steps, with that itchy, scatchy old material rubbing on our hearts.

Like Michael said the best part is GETTING OFF!

For the LORD is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations. Psalm 100:5

Be assured no one--man, woman or child--says "I love you" with more certainty than the Lord.

This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. 1 John 4:9

You know I don't know why I got on that Stairmaster, I really don't like to exercise, and keep that lounge chair away from me, I have enough issues. :-)

What thoughts did you have?
Denise