We had a great first meeting last Friday night. Thank you for sharing your hearts so openly and honestly! I know I was encouraged and faith was stirred in my heart for all that God is going to do and what He is going to show us in the next few months.
We talked about our current struggles and what we are asking God to do in us as we walk this road together. Even though our struggles look different our need is the same......More of HIM. I love watching the Spirit move as He uses each of you to bring encouragement and strength to others.
One of the things we talked about was the importance of accountability and our commitment to be a "cheerleader" for each other. We wont be perfect in our attempt to mortify sin. There will be times that we fail. As partners, we're there to encourage each other in the good days and bad days.....and be a reminder of the empowering Grace that God so freely lavishes on us. What a privilege we have to be our "sisters keeper".
Sarahs testimony of how God transformed her perspective on food was especially encouraging! Only God is able to do what is impossible in our own strength. In regard to accountability, Sarah gave us some great practical questions to ask your accountability partner as a means of seeking to serve her the best way you can. Here are some of her suggested "starter" questions:
What time of the day are you most tempted to overeat (or whatever the temptation may be)?
How long does the temptation last?
What are you thinking when you are tempted?
What type of food is it?
Do you pray in those moments?
Once you have an idea of the specific issues involved, then together you can come up with a more specific plan for change and help each other put it into practice.
Some points on the more specific plan may include:
praying before your particularly difficult time
making a meal/snack plan
calling your accountability partner during particular struggles
memorizing and meditating on certain scriptures
As we said, each plan will look different for everyone. Lets pray for Gods wisdom and guidance in this. If you need help in this, you can always ask for input by posting a comment. We're all here to help each other.
Last Friday night, we also attempted to plan future meeting dates. Please check you calendar and let us know if these dates will work for you.
October 29th (evening)
November 15th (morning) or 16th(afternoon) or 22nd( morning)
December 20th (morning)
January 23rd (evening)
Feb 27th (evening)
March 27th (evening)
At our next meeting we will talk about chapters 3 and 4.
Sunday, September 28, 2008
Friday, September 12, 2008
Two (or Three) are better than one.....
....especially when it comes to accountability!
So! Here are the accountability partners:
Angela and Julie
Amy and Debbie
Sarah and Jackie
Helen, Angie and Vicki
As we have talked about, we are letting each group work out the depth and practical outworking of this accountability relationship on their own. Chatting on the phone, on line, or getting together....whatever you decide is best. It may be helpful to ask each other about expectations and desires so that you can best serve one another.
As you know, our September 26th meeting will be at the Taulbee house @ 7:30pm. Hopefully everyone will have the book by that time.
Please be prepared for that meeting in the following way:
1. Write out what your struggle with food currently is. Be as specific as possible. How has God been convicting you? How are you tempted to sin when it comes to eating?
2. Write out what you are asking God to do in your life during this study. Are you asking for for freedom? In what area? What would that freedom look like??
During our meeting, we'll spend time sharing these thoughts. At the end of the study, we'll look back at our thoughts and see what God has done and how He has changed us. What an opportunity to see the Goodness of God in each of our lives!
For each of us, this struggle will look different. But we can trust that God to be faithful to reveal Himself to us at our point of need. Our hope for change rests in God alone. What a glorious promise we have!!!
Feel free to post a comment if you like!
So! Here are the accountability partners:
Angela and Julie
Amy and Debbie
Sarah and Jackie
Helen, Angie and Vicki
As we have talked about, we are letting each group work out the depth and practical outworking of this accountability relationship on their own. Chatting on the phone, on line, or getting together....whatever you decide is best. It may be helpful to ask each other about expectations and desires so that you can best serve one another.
As you know, our September 26th meeting will be at the Taulbee house @ 7:30pm. Hopefully everyone will have the book by that time.
Please be prepared for that meeting in the following way:
1. Write out what your struggle with food currently is. Be as specific as possible. How has God been convicting you? How are you tempted to sin when it comes to eating?
2. Write out what you are asking God to do in your life during this study. Are you asking for for freedom? In what area? What would that freedom look like??
During our meeting, we'll spend time sharing these thoughts. At the end of the study, we'll look back at our thoughts and see what God has done and how He has changed us. What an opportunity to see the Goodness of God in each of our lives!
For each of us, this struggle will look different. But we can trust that God to be faithful to reveal Himself to us at our point of need. Our hope for change rests in God alone. What a glorious promise we have!!!
Feel free to post a comment if you like!
Monday, September 8, 2008
Thursday, September 4, 2008
A Change of Plans....
Hello Ladies!
We've had a change of plan regarding the content of our blog! As Danny Jones Says, "Change is here to stay! "
In light of our fantastic discussion on Wednesday night, we're going to use this blog to further discussion on a Book we're going to read together. Now, for Helen, Angie and Sarah, who were not able to come to last Wednesday's homegroup, please know that we extend this invitation to you as well.
God really moved in our meeting on Wednesday and though the humility of a few of the ladies, it was discovered that all of us, to some degree, are in a current struggle with glorifying God in our eating habits. We realize that there are deeper issues of the heart that God is after and we all expressed a desire to pursue God for change in this area. As David Brackin encouraged us.....we need to take the attitude of Samuel and "hack Agag to pieces" as it relates to mortifying sin in our lives.
So, in an effort to do just that, we've decided to read the book by Elyse Fitzpatrick entitled, "Love to Eat, Hate to Eat. Breaking the bondage of destructive eating habits." If you don't have the book you can order it on Amazon for about $8. Used books can be purchased for $4.
On Wednesday night we talked about what would be the most practical way to conduct this study and it was suggested that we form accountability partnerships for the purpose of more in depth questioning and accountability. We also talked about using our "Ladies Night" meetings to talk about how we are progressing.
Everyone was open to having an accountability partner picked for them. (You ladies are brave!! :) ) So we'll let you know who those folks are as soon as we know if Sarah, Angie and Helen would like to participate.
We'll talk more about details regarding the chapters we'll read and at what pace we'll move through the material.
For now, please let me know if you are on board by posting a comment and letting me know what you think. Please also let me know if you have any questions.
I would also strongly encourage you to read the Metro Moms Blog post on August 19th
(filed under: marriage)
http://test.metromomsblog.org
Sheree Phillips made some EXCELLENT points regarding sharing challenges in your marriage with others. It is certainly worth reading to gain some valuable perspective.
We've had a change of plan regarding the content of our blog! As Danny Jones Says, "Change is here to stay! "
In light of our fantastic discussion on Wednesday night, we're going to use this blog to further discussion on a Book we're going to read together. Now, for Helen, Angie and Sarah, who were not able to come to last Wednesday's homegroup, please know that we extend this invitation to you as well.
God really moved in our meeting on Wednesday and though the humility of a few of the ladies, it was discovered that all of us, to some degree, are in a current struggle with glorifying God in our eating habits. We realize that there are deeper issues of the heart that God is after and we all expressed a desire to pursue God for change in this area. As David Brackin encouraged us.....we need to take the attitude of Samuel and "hack Agag to pieces" as it relates to mortifying sin in our lives.
So, in an effort to do just that, we've decided to read the book by Elyse Fitzpatrick entitled, "Love to Eat, Hate to Eat. Breaking the bondage of destructive eating habits." If you don't have the book you can order it on Amazon for about $8. Used books can be purchased for $4.
On Wednesday night we talked about what would be the most practical way to conduct this study and it was suggested that we form accountability partnerships for the purpose of more in depth questioning and accountability. We also talked about using our "Ladies Night" meetings to talk about how we are progressing.
Everyone was open to having an accountability partner picked for them. (You ladies are brave!! :) ) So we'll let you know who those folks are as soon as we know if Sarah, Angie and Helen would like to participate.
We'll talk more about details regarding the chapters we'll read and at what pace we'll move through the material.
For now, please let me know if you are on board by posting a comment and letting me know what you think. Please also let me know if you have any questions.
Our next Ladies night is planned for September 26th at the Taulbee house.
We can discuss more at that time.
But for now, if you have the book and want to read chapter 1 and 2 by that time, that would be great!!!!
www.gracegems.org/Miller/christian_wife.htmWe can discuss more at that time.
But for now, if you have the book and want to read chapter 1 and 2 by that time, that would be great!!!!
As a side note......
If you would like to read the rest of the article by JR Miller, here is the link so that you can do that.
If you would like to read the rest of the article by JR Miller, here is the link so that you can do that.
I would also strongly encourage you to read the Metro Moms Blog post on August 19th
(filed under: marriage)
http://test.metromomsblog.org
Sheree Phillips made some EXCELLENT points regarding sharing challenges in your marriage with others. It is certainly worth reading to gain some valuable perspective.
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