Women's Ministry
  • Home
  • Calendar
  • Special Events
    • Spring Events
    • Summer Events
    • Fall Events
    • Winter Events
  • Bible Studies
    • Morning Study
    • Evening Study
  • Women's Corner
    • Resources
  • Get Involved
  • Wings
  • Beloved

Gentle & Quiet Spirit...Really???

7/29/2014

 
I have been enjoying our Sunday messages on the fruit of the Spirit.   I was reminded of the first topical study I did as a new believer.  My personality, in its natural state, is a choleric-lion/phlegmatic-golden retriever mix.  When I have done spiritual gifts inventories, I score high on prophet, exhortation and mercy.  That is a strange combination.   I think the gift of mercy is needed to temper the prophet, so I could effectively exhort.   After a number of failed attempts to communicate, I was convicted of the need to work on the fruit of gentleness.  I had never done a topical study and I didn’t really know what I was doing, but I got out my concordance and went through every mention of the word gentleness.

The Lord rewarded my efforts and I continue to use these life lessons as a foundation for all that I do in ministry today.   Here are a few of the things that I discovered about myself, as I investigated the word gentle/gentleness.

My need to be “right” got in the way and made me less effective.

2 Timothy 2:24-26 “The Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome, but must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful.  Opponents must be gently instructed, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth, and that they will come to their senses and escape from the trap of the devil , who has taken them captive to do his will.

I found that the root of my sometimes less than gentle tone of voice was pride and impatience.

Ephesians 4:2 Be completely humble and gentle, be patient, bearing with one another in love.   

Colossians 3:12 “Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.

 But we didn’t stop there; the Lord then took me to my role as a wife.  Beauty on the inside was more important than beauty on the outside.  And get this, it doesn’t fade.

1 Peter 3:3-4  “Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as elaborate hairstyles and the wearing of gold jewelry or fine clothes, Rather, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight.

As I look back to those early days of learning what it meant to be a Christ follower, I can see how important it was for me to deal with this issue early on.   These verses would come back to my remembrance over and over as the Lord began to transform my temperament.   I still have a long way to go and I still have to pause and take a deep breath now and then before I speak, but I don’t have to take “my foot out of my mouth” nearly as often.

Beverly Chesnut

Hospitality

7/21/2014

 

Hospitality in Greek is Philoxenos

Philos – dear, friend, friendly

Xenos – foreign, entertainer for guests  - host strange, stranger

 

My mother and grandmother were great at showing hospitality. There were more Sunday’s than not when we had guests sitting at our table for Sunday lunch or snacks on Sunday night after church. I remember the fun we had getting to know the kids, making friends while playing games and eating. I will be the first to say I have not carried the tradition on like I should. I have all the good excuses; the extra work, inconvenience, time, small home, the plates don’t match, I’ve said them all.

A couple of weeks ago I attended a conference and one of the sessions was on hospitality. I was reminded that we are told in the bible to show hospitality. Romans 12:13 says “contributing to the needs of the saints, practicing hospitality”. In 3rd John verse 5 we read that John commended Gaius on his hospitality. Matthew 25:35-40 tells us that when we entertain in the Lords’ name it is the same as entertaining the Lord himself. Hebrews 13:2 says don’t neglect to show hospitality to strangers, because some have entertained angels without knowing it.

I found these suggestions helpful from the session:

  1. Keep it simple. It doesn’t have to be a 5 course meal. Order pizza. Buy desert, Costco’s apple pie is good. The plates don’t have to match, sometimes paper is fine.  

  2. Make them feel welcome and comfortable by talking with them and enjoying their company.

  3.  Let them help if they offer.

  4. Don’t entertain expecting repayment.

If God says showing hospitality is important then I am going to do as my mother and grandmother did, start to show hospitality. So when I ask don’t be surprised.

Happy Entertaining!

Ruby Cripe

A VISIT HOME AND SOME COMFORT FOOD

7/17/2014

 

My husband and I just returned from a trip up north to visit our family.  Because of appointments here, we could only stay ten days. From the moment we arrived the race began to see how much time we could spend with each family and how much attention we could give to each grandchild.  I’m sure some of you grandparents understand what I’m talking about.  Two were celebrating birthdays, one had a weekend baseball tournament.Then came the day we were scheduled to spend with my daughter-in-law and two of our grandchildren.  (My son was out of town.)  We discussed several options of things we could do that day.  However; to our pleasant surprise when we arrived, there was cut melon, dip and crackers and an announcement that we were chilling by the pool for the day.  What a relief!  We really needed a chill day.  She even had dinner planned!

The melon was delightful.  She always chooses perfect melons!  The dip was a BLT dip that we had never had before.  I’m going to share the recipe with you. 

It’s a warm and fuzzy feeling when people know you well enough and care enough about you to know exactly what you need.  I had the opportunity to play board games with my grandchildren and we all fell asleep on the couch.  What an awesome day.

Be hospitable to one another without complaining. 1 Peter 4:9

BLT Dip

1 lb. Bacon crisp and crumbled

2 Tomatoes chopped

1 Cup Mayonnaise

1 Cup Sour Cream

Serve with your favorite cracker.

Looking For New Summer Reading Options?

7/7/2014

 
I have two book recommendations for you. Both suggestions are autobiographies about two different Christian couples and their uniquely similar love stories unlike you have ever read.

One couple resides in California, are in their 60’s, and have been married 31 years. The other couple resides in Pennsylvania, are in their 20’s, and have been married 3 years. Such different stages of life, yet both couples have interrelated experiences. Each couple has been challenged more than most to live out their marriage with great patience, strength and courage while facing daily physical difficulty. Meanwhile their focus remains centered on God’s immeasurable grace, His unfailing love, and their own unwavering commitment to their Savior and to one another.

Who are these couples and why are their love stories uniquely exceptional?

First, let me introduce you to Ken & Joni Eareckson Tada, whose love story was published last year and is simply titled, Joni & Ken: An Untold Love Story. Joni is the most famous quadriplegic known today. She has lived each day with her companion wheelchair from when she was a teenager and suffered paralysis from a diving accident. Joni has enjoyed phenomenal success from a thriving ministry in serving other families all over the world who have been affected by disability. The Tada’s book is from the perspective of husband, Ken, who chose to trust God, sacrifice his own comfort, and release his dream of the ideal marriage relationship to come alongside Joni and become one with her and her disability.

Second, let me introduce you to Ian & Larissa Murphy, whose love story will be published this August (8/28) and will simply be titled, Eight Twenty Eight: When Love Didn’t Give Up. They have publicly blogged their love story and posted videos chronicling their journey together that began just prior to Ian’s life-altering car accident, which left him with a traumatic brain injury. The Murphy’s book is from the perspective of wife, Larissa, who also chose to trust God, sacrifice her own comfort, and release her dream of the ideal marriage relationship to come alongside Ian and become one with him and his disability.

Neither journey for either couple has been easy and painless, as they deal with daily challenges beyond what many of us could fathom. But each difficult road is being travelled together, as husband and wife, with God as their Father and Guide. He has brought these spouses together and has remained completely faithful to them, even when they don’t understand His ways. He continues to extend His grace and mercy to both couples while using their love stories to glorify Himself and display His work in their lives. Their love stories will encourage and inspire you, but mainly point you to Jesus and the Gospel. After all, Christ is our ultimate example as our Groom since His love for His Bride, the Church, is holy, perfect and complete.

Tamar Miller

    Archives

    April 2025
    March 2025
    February 2025
    May 2024
    March 2024
    November 2023
    October 2023
    September 2023
    August 2023
    May 2023
    April 2023
    February 2023
    September 2022
    August 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013

    RSS Feed

    Picture
HOME
CALENDAR
SPECIAL EVENTS
BIBLE STUDIES
WOMEN'S CORNER
GET INVOLVED
WINGS
SPECIAL EVENTS
SPRING EVENTS
SUMMER EVENTS
FALL EVENTS
WINTER EVENTS
BIBLE STUDIES
MORNING STUDY
EVENING STUDY

WOMEN'S CORNER
RESOURCES
Visit us on Facebook
We would like to hear from you.
Contact Us 
Phone: (239) 936-1754
[email protected]

Visit us this week

3750 Colonial Blvd.
Fort Myers, FL 33966

Open in Google Maps