TWELVE EXTRAORDINARY WOMEN OF THE BIBLE

Okay, ladies we are good to go with our books to begin studying some of the women God used during Bible times to accomplish great things.  Now that I have the books I see that the order of women we are going to study actually begins with the mother of us all--Eve.  We will get to Ruth in a couple of weeks, but, for this week we will be looking at how Eve was extraordinary.  Maybe our view of her as having a bad reputation for submitting to the trickery of Satan has over-shadowed how God really used her for His glory.  Let's get together on Thursday morning and dig into the life of Eve and consider God's extraordinary work in our lives as well.  Consider this question:  What does it mean to have a complementary relationship between a man and woman?

Amanda will be caring for our little ones again this year.  Praise the Lord for her!

See you Thursday morning.

FALL LADIES BIBLE STUDY

Ladies, please note that we will not be starting our Bible Study on the 8th because of a delay in getting our books.  Just this evening I received word that we will be getting the shipment at the beginning of next week.  So, mark your calendars for the 15th and read through the book of Ruth a couple of times before that date as she will be the first extraordinary woman of the Bible that we will be studying about.  We praise the Lord for Amanda being able to help us with the little ones.  I'm looking forward to seeing you at 9:30 on Thursday the 15th.

WHAT MAKES A TRULY RICH LIFE?

We can be so easily confused as to what a rich life looks like.  Most media advertisements try to convince us that having the perfect job, driving the right car, living in the right house, having the right friends, good health, and traveling to all the countries we have ever dreamed of would make a beautiful life for us.  But, generally this pursuit of happiness leaves the pursuer empty and wondering if that is really all there is.

Last week my dear friend Marie (pictured here) passed from this life into breath-taking eternity to ever be with the Lord.  She had battled cancer for 19 years--that might sound like a dismal life.  In reality her life was rich because of her close walk with the Lord and her great dependence on Him.  Just as a child who suffers is comforted and encouraged by a parent who loves and cares for them, so it is for those who have a wonderful Heavenly Father caring for them. 

Twenty-one years ago Marie wrote this to me during a time of great difficulty for her.

"If I just obey Him I know He will fill me up and draw me closer to Him.

Psalm 18:30-32“As for God, His way is perfect; the word of the Lord is flawless.  He is a shield for all who take refuge in Him.  For who is God besides the Lord?  And who is the Rock, except our God?  It is God who arms me with strength and makes my way perfect.”

It is God—only God. He will sustain me."

This attitude has been consistent for her through all the years of cancer and various heartaches in her life.  What a beautiful example of a truly rich life.

Ladies Bible Study will begin again on Thursday morning September 8th at 9:30.  I'm looking forward to leading the discussion as we study twelve amazing women of the Bible.  Plan to join us for encouragement to live wholeheartedly for the Lord--this is a truly rich life!