Hello, Mini-Women! I'm having a celebration latte. Actually, I've been celebrating for several days because I found out I get to do a three-book series for YOU!!!! I"m totally jazzed. I'll be telling you more about that in the weeks to come -- and you might even be able to help me with it.
Old works of mine are getting a fresh look, too, which is what today's contest prize is about. But I'm going to leave you in suspense on that while I post our prayer list. Your fellow GIA Agents would like you to pray for:
EMMA, who is still sick.
KAT, who might have to give up her dog and who herself has been "kinda rebellious and spacey lately." We've all been there, haven't we ladies?
JOSIE's grandfather who has to have some very serious surgery
JESUS FREAK/BETH who has been the victim of betrayal by video!
JESUS FREAK/BETH's neighbors' unborn baby who is in distress
Merciful God, please hear the prayers of your mini-women.
WHAT YOU SAID AFTER LAST TIME'S POST:
* You gave GREAT advice and support to ABIGAIL and JENNA and JESUS FREAK. As BETH said, "Who knew the right thing was SOOOOO hard!!!!" That's why we have each other. We're the Body of Christ. It's one of those God-protection things.
* EMMA reported some God protection for her and her mom and sisters. Thanks, Emma.
* KAT thought her family would have to give up their dog, but another solution presented itself. Gotta be a God-thing.
* KAT also says God has been there at youth group. I like hearing that.
Knowing God is ALWAYS there is important for today's assignment, which is a little harder. But somewhere in here is the CONTEST, so you're definitely going to want to read on. (You would anyway, right? Right?).
GIA Epiphany Assignment #4
READ: Matthew 2:16-18 This is a tough story to read so let me prepare you. When Herod realizes he's been tricked by the wise men (they went home by another way, remember?) he's furious. People with great power don't like to have it taken away. So he sent his soliders out to kill all the children (other Gospels say all the boy children) two years old and younger in Bethlehem. Centuries before, the prophet Jeremiah knew this was going to take place.
CONNECT: Stories like this make us wonder why God would let such a thing happen. He saved Jesus from Herod -- why didn't he save all the other kids too? I truly don't know the answer to that. I'm not even sure God "let" it happen, any more than God "lets" children be killed in accidents caused by drunk drivers. There is a lot of evil in the world. The free will God gives us is given to everyone, good and bad alike. Where God comes in is to help us through when the bad guys do their damage. So, can you think of a time when you just couldn't understand why some bad thing had to happen? A time when maybe you doubted whether God cared?Maybe that time is happening right now.
PRAY: Put a word or picture in the middle or your drawing pad that reminds you of that time. In your prayer, ask God some questions about it. Ask hard questions and doodle or just make lines and shapes and colors on the page as you talk to God. When you've asked all your questions, see if you can remember (or realize) how God helped you or is helping you through it right now. It's okay to ask, "Was that you, God? Really?"
TAKE ACTION: Now think about someone else you know who's going through a hard time, a time that God doesn't seem to be paying any attention to. Don't tell them God is there; instead, show them by being God's representative -- the person they'll remember when they look back and say, "God did care -- through ABIGAIL or EMMA or AMELIA or JENNA . . ." Can you send a note of encouragement? Offer to play with their kids while they take some time to themselves? Give a hug without words? Invite them to our blog? Do it. Be God In Action, Mini-Women.
SHARE: Tell us what you did or plan to do. AND/OR tell us about that time when you thought God wasn't there and it turns out he was. The first FIVE of you who post a VERSE that helped you realize God was there after all will receive -- drum roll, please -- an AUDIO CD of HERE's LILY! It's brand new -- nobody else has seen it yet!!! (If you don't have a CD player but you do have an MP3 player, I can send you that version instead.) If you don't have a verse don't be disappointed. I'll be giving away more in two weeks!!!
Blessings, Mini-Women!
Nancy Rue
O.K. I have one it's my life verse. Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the plans I have for you declares the Lord plans to prosper you and not to harm you plans to give you a hope and a future. It's such a cool verse I have it memorized and a whole lot of other verses like that. Thanks for the prayers I'm totally praying for everyone else!
TTYLXOX
Beth :)
P.S. Nancy I would still read your post even if I didn't have the contest I read through the whole thing
Posted by: Jesus Freak | January 24, 2013 at 06:18 PM
I have been going through a hard time with a friend, and I sometimes wonder, Where is God in this? It is REALLY hard, and I hate that it had to happen. A lot of the times I ask, why me? Why did you have to let this all happen to me? I was feeling good about her, and talking to you, and now this....WHY??? Well, I was reading quite a few Psalms the other, well, year( I was having night trauma(as in nightmares...big time)and they helped that too,I have not had on e bad night since. As Nancy Rue would say, It's a God thing!) And Psalm 139, 23, 31,91, and more have helped me SOOOO much!
139 has helped me that most. I found it in an awesome book by a Christian author.Brian Davis.
7 Whither shall I go from thy spirit? or whither shall I flee from thy presence?
8 If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: if I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there.
9 If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea;
10 Even there shall thy hand lead me, and thy right hand shall hold me.
11 If I say, Surely the darkness shall cover me; even the night shall be light about me.
12 Yea, the darkness hideth not from thee; but the night shineth as the day: the darkness and the light are both alike to thee.
Posted by: AnnaRachael | January 24, 2013 at 06:29 PM
i have 2 life verses.
1.john 3:16 "for God so loved the word that he gave his one and only son that who shall ever belive in him shall not parish but have eternal life.
2."do not be afraid for the Lord your God is with you wereever you go" i don't remember the place in the bible were it is. do any of you guys?
Posted by: Casey | January 24, 2013 at 06:50 PM
i probebly spelled some of that wrong. the #2 verse is really special to me because my mom, when i was unger, and i was afraid she would say that verse to me.to help me be less scared.
Posted by: Casey | January 24, 2013 at 06:54 PM
Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the plans I have for you.
Posted by: english faith aka Nikita | January 24, 2013 at 06:54 PM
Yesterday, it was Matt. 6:36 (I believe). I was stressed out and had bunches of school and had had a really, really bad week. It said that I shouldnt mind about what tomorrow brings, as today has its own worries. It gave me the peace to go forth and do my work, to tweak a little BV!
Btw, I wish I could go to your house Nancy! I love big dogs (and little ones, too! And I also like baking chocolate)
Blessings, Peace, Love, and Mercy be with you dear girls.
Amelia
Posted by: Amelia | January 24, 2013 at 07:06 PM
Proverbs 3:5-6
Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.
~Josie~
Posted by: Josie | January 25, 2013 at 08:23 AM
I have 2 life verses:
Philippians 4:13 "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."
And:
Jeremiah 29:11 "For I know that plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future."
Prayer Request:
My Church is having a Mission trip to Mexico again. I went last year, and I really want t o go again. I feel like God is calling me to go again. The only problem is that it costs $1,300!!! Please pray that i will be able to raise everything in time! Thanks!
Posted by: Jujubear ♥ | January 25, 2013 at 08:53 AM
Well, my neighbor Emma, is always going through something it seems :( Her parents are divorced, and she starting to hang out with the wrong kind of people :( I try to play with her alot, but she's so busy with all of her school activities. Every once in a while, I'll send her a card, just to tell her I care. Most of the time we just talk about what she's going through and that seems to help.
My favorite verse is Jeremiah 10:10-
"But the Lord is the true God;
He is the living God and the everlasting King.
At His wrath the earth will tremble,
And the nations will not be able to endure His indignation."
And 1 Peter 3:3-4
"Do not let your adornment be merely outward—arranging the hair, wearing gold, or putting on fine apparel— 4 rather let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the incorruptible beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is very precious in the sight of God."
Posted by: Jenna | January 25, 2013 at 10:05 AM
I don't know if I qualify but mine is Psalm 23
Posted by: Kat | January 25, 2013 at 11:44 AM
Jenna that's awesome and sooo nice just wanted to say.
TTYLXOX
Bth :) :)
Posted by: Jesus Freak | January 25, 2013 at 11:52 AM
hey, everybody. im back!!! it feels so good to be up and a'doing, doesnt it?
anyway, thanks for all your prayers.
My favourite verse is jeremaiah 29:11
"For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future"
hope i qualify
:) :D
Posted by: mene | January 25, 2013 at 02:00 PM
I won't be able to do this assignment but I have some good news! We are going to keep my dog just train him and I get the rest of today off of school so I can work with my dogs! Praying guys! We are going to have to put both of my dogs in a training course and I get to do agility with them!!!!!! So that is good! (Sorry that's all about my dogs!)
Posted by: Kat | January 25, 2013 at 02:09 PM
so happy for you Kat.um there are some good stuff you should try to look for one of them is a book called the dog listener and the other are some videos called ceasea Malian.Hope it helps.(sorry thats all about dogs)
Posted by: english faithgirl aka Nikita (gods girlz rock!!!!!) | January 25, 2013 at 03:15 PM
dog listener? i've herd of the tv show dog wisperer by Ceasea Malian(or something like that).
i bet i spelled that wrong, sorry.
Posted by: Casey | January 25, 2013 at 04:31 PM
Jujubear- I have the same problem, too. I'm thinking of making friendship bracelets, cookies, etc and selling them and then selling some of my old clothes if no one can take any more clothes from me. If God directs, He'll provide, just like Abraham. And the fishes and loaves, for that fact. God'll multiply if it is His will, and God won't if it isn't His good and perfect will.
Posted by: Amelia* It's easy to love if you love Love. And if you love Love, then you can't help but love! | January 25, 2013 at 05:04 PM
I live your thing about love. Can I copy that and Paste it to my life?lol
( to Amelia)
Posted by: AnnaRachael | January 25, 2013 at 07:43 PM
Thanks Nikita!!! I've been really busy lately and I really want to tell you guys about it! Ok the number 1 priority of course is school so I have to try to get that done before lunch because( ok here it comes) Alot on Sunday I alterserve at mass. and Monday nights starting February I'm going to be at dog training for 6 weeks , starting march ( I think )I'm going to have soccer practice and games on Tuesdays and Thursdays and Saturdays, Tuesday is also piano lessons, Wednesday is youth group, Thursday I'm a mothers helper in the morning, Friday is usually when we run errands, and I'm going to babysit my nephew sometimes and another family from our church wants me to babysit they're little boy next month. And I have to exercise my dogs everyday and me and my dad are going to build an agility course for my dogs and me and my dad do catechism study! It's just really crazy cause a lot of the time I'm trying to do school in the car and just yikes!
Posted by: Kat | January 25, 2013 at 09:29 PM
Praying! congrats everyone witht the contest! I Like jeremaiah 29:11 and phil 4; 13 or 14 and
Posted by: Emma | January 25, 2013 at 10:02 PM
wow, and i thought my life was hecktic!!!! i'm with you kat i know whit it can feel like on one of thoes days. i spelled that wrong sorry.
Posted by: Casey | January 26, 2013 at 08:58 AM