This Wednesday W3 will be meeting with the rest of the Crossroads family in the CFC auditorium to view the “Passion of the Christ” and to pray for our community to be impacted during this holiday season. Please use your complimentary ticket and come or contact the church office at 266.1919 to get one and come at 6:30pm at the auditorium.
Hope your Bible Study is going well. Comment here with questions or thoughts or concerns….
In His Name, Sunshine
I struggled with a question on the first and second day homework. On page #117, “what did Christ die to do (see Rom. 5:8)? It’s multiple choice, but I think two might be correct. Is ‘making us perfect’ the same as righteousness? I know WE are not perfect, but Christ is. I thought ’save us from sin’ could also be correct. I might be OVERthinking it too.
On page 120, What was Moses’ explanation to Aaron for God’s action in verse 3? All three seemed like good choices, although the third “God will be worshiped only in holiness” seemed to fit the scripture?? Maybe I’m just tired and need to sleep on these questions.
I was surprised to read ‘we never have the right to simply chat with God’ but understanding the role of Christ as intercessor was enlightening. I still stumble when praying, and learning this connection has been very good for me. I didn’t grow up in church, and it’s still a little muddy at times. I am unable to answer “Can you sense when God is pleased with your worship, and if so, how?” I am just not sure. Does anyone else struggle with this?
Overall, this study has been SO good. I love seeing the Old Testament connect with the New Testament and am in awe of how this book really is a living word!! The more I learn, I realize how much more I have to learn about God and I am excited and inspired and completely humbled!! I’m glad to be on this journey with so many delightful ladies in my group.
Debbie S.
Opportunities are available at every step we take.
In two weeks, Crossroads is taking the opportunity as a church body to view “The Passion of the Christ” and have a time of corporate prayer for the upcoming Easter holiday season. We are hoping to impact the community and the most surefire way to do that is to pray, pray, pray for them. If you care to join us, please stop by the WHC on Sunday to get your free ticket to reserve your seat, because only 700 people will be allowed due to fire regulations. If you are in Motherwise or A Woman’s Heart this season, there will be NO CLASS Wednesday, March 19 so we may support this event. The event is 6:30pm-9pm in the CFC auditorium.
Another opportunity is to serve the community by serving their children during the Easter holiday. Crossroads is having 4 identical experiences for Easter; Saturday, March 22 at 4pm and 5:30pm and Sunday, March 23 at 9:30am and 11am! Each experience will have opportunities for us to serve the children. How else can we impact the 2500 people we hope will attend? Of course this means you might have to volunteer 1 more hour that week. That’s ok because God says we are the Light of this world, we are to show our fruit that we bear. If you are interested in this opportunity and can spare your time, please email your name and phone number to srplato@yahoo.com and I will sign you up!
Thank you God for letting us live in a country that allows us to pray, worship and proclaim your name! You are holy, worthy and magnificent. Thank you in advance for the abundance of volunteers that you will have prepared for service on Easter, and the families of those who do not yet know you but will soon come to meet you through Easter weekend at Crossroads. In Jesus’ name, Amen
You have an opportunity to write a short prayer of thanks to God right here. Just click on the comments button and type away!
Sunshine
Last night at Bible Study was soooo nice! I loved it. Most of the ladies showed up, there was sharing at every table and looked to me like genuine laughter and connections were formed. All because we were being introduced to God in the wilderness! This is exactly what Bible Study is to be about. Community and Friendship while we grow closer to the LORD! Praise God that He is Jehovah-Jireh, the Lord who Provides….
I hope you had as great a time as I did. The video was pretty amazing too. I really liked when Beth talked about her friend who lost a child and Beth saying to God, there is no way I could endure that. And God reminding her that His Grace and Mercy is dependent upon our circumstance. In essence, He was telling her, No, you couldn’t endure that now because I have not supplied that much grace to you, because your circumstance does not need it at this moment.
I think it is wonderful that we don’t have to endure other people’s “stuff”. For those that know me, I lost my only son two years ago 5 days after birth and God’s grace sustained and sustains me. I could endure it because God gave me what I need. But, I have a friend right now who’s husband is out of work and they sold their home and have two weeks to move out and don’t know where God is sending them. She has been trusting the Lord, but has called me for spiritual support on occasion. The other day, she said, I don’t know why I am complaining to you. You have endured so much more than I have. And I told her, I wouldn’t trade situations at all. There is a reason God gives us our “stuff” and he supplies exactly what we need to get through it. I KNOW I cannot endure what she is going through. I am way too much a planner and I would be broken. Isn’t this funny? And does anyone else know what I am talking about?
What did you like most from Bible Study this week? What questions do you have from the homework? Do you have a story to share?
Click on the comments button and share. Don’t be shy. This is another “table” discussion if you will… Let’s work this community! Others are waiting for you to be the ‘first’ one…
Sunshine
Well, Our Winter Bible Study, “A Woman’s Heart: God’s Dwelling Place” by Beth Moore began last night and the Thursday morning group began today!
Last night there were 50 women in attendance! Plus, 6 more women who couldn’t come for one reason or another. The morning group had 11 people sign up. Not sure who all showed up, but we will still praise God. He is so faithful. He knew every women who would be there last night and as Beth pointed out, “He pursued you!” He brought you there for a reason and one is to have you get to know Him better!!
The night was not without minor flaws, but I would have to say it was a success! Women were visiting with each other, we worshiped God with our songs of praise, we read out of our Bibles, we made God-honoring commitments to spend time with Him in His Word and influence the women around us.
The room got a little cold after a while, and I think it was because the exit door was open for most of the night. If any of you see this happen after 7:00pm on the coming Wednesdays, please shut it and hopefully we will have a good temperature throughout. With as many women that were there, I was worried it would get too WARM! HA!
The small group time will begin next week. The facilitators are and have been praying over your names and will let God tell us where to place you. We will consider your special requests. Next week when you come in, we will let you know which table you will be at. Hopefully we can make it fun for you…. We will see!
Start your homework! Get 5 days of homework done and return next week. Remember, the doors open at 6:15, so come early to chat with your friends, and be ready to start your table group at 6:30pm. It will begin on time!!!
If you have and questions or comments, please leave them here. We would love to use the blog to discuss different issues or thoughts. If you have a personal question, you may email me at srplato@yahoo.com.
See you at 6:15pm on Wednesday!
Sunshine
Girls,
It’s time for the launch of “A Woman’s Heart: God’s Dwelling Place”!! This study begins this week at Crossroads.
The Wednesday Night group will meet this Wednesday, January 30th at 6:30pm-8:30pm in Founder’s Hall of the Christian Family Center. If you have signed up, we are excited to see you there. If you have not signed up but would still like to come, show up and we will get you registered and you can purchase a book for $16! REMEMBER, Doors will open at 6:15pm, so come early, get registered and begin hanging out right away. We have a fun evening planned with worship, prayer, orientation and an introductory video with Beth Moore! Don’t be late….
Our Thursday morning group begins this week too! Thursday, January 31 at 9:30am-11:30am at Vicky P.’s home in Onsted. If you have signed up for this time, great! If you haven’t and need the address and directions, please email me at srplato@yahoo.com. Books will be available for those who still have to purchase books.
Don’t miss out on this awesome opportunity to grow closer to God, draw closer to other women and make new or renew relationships!! In the words of Beth Moore from her promotional video, “This is gonna be so fun, this is gonna be so fun, this is gonna be so fun!”
See you there!!
Sunshine
FLIP ‘YOUR’ HEART!
W3’s Fall study, “Breaking Free” concluded Nov 28th with a night of celebration capped off by a time of sharing by participants, personal reflection, worship and a symbolic ceremony of “making the great exchange” –trading areas of personal bondage for Freedom in Christ. One by one former ‘captives’ took issues such as unbelief, unforgiveness, and pride to the foot of the Cross and exchanged them for the Truth . Then after a time of awesome worship, many shared areas where God worked in their hearts and lives through the study to begin healing from past hurts or gained insight to present problems. Others spoke of a growing love for and intimacy in their relationship with God because of the daily homework time and weekly video teaching. New, and deeper connections were made with other women of Crossroads through the weekly discussion and answered prayer in their lives and the lives of the others. Yet this study was just a few steps on our faith journey. We were challenged to realize why in-depth Bible study and spending time in prayer is crucial to our walk with Christ and to determine what our next step in that walk should be.
FLIP “YOUR” HEART
And speaking of next steps have you seen “Flip that House” yet? Its one of the most popular reality shows on cable TV. The premise is irresistible. An investor purchases a run down, dilapidated house that is filled with trash; it requires major renovation to be sellable to potential buyers.. The investor (within their budget) personally cleans up, renovates and transforms the house into a home that reflects their vision of what the house can be –making it like new, so that it can be placed back on the market to earn a profit. In the real estate world, this is known as ‘flipping’. In God’s economy it is known as His ultimate plan for you and me.
God wants to flip your heart –He spared no expense to purchase it, giving His own Son to pay for it’s clean up and renovation. Now He desires to transform it into His dwelling place by taking you to a place of relationship that is closer and more personal and making it a place to reveal His love and Glory to the world around you–and in the process to draw others into relationship with Him as well.
Regardless of where you are taking your next step from, W3 invites you to take it by joining us for our winter study: “A Woman’s Heart, God’s Dwelling Place” an 11 week, interactive, in-depth Bible Study by Beth Moore that combines video teaching and small group discussion.
The study begins on Jan 30th (p.m.) or Jan 31st (a.m.) Choose between Wednesday evenings at the CFC in our NEW LOCATION:FOUNDERS HALL 6:30-: 30 p.m. or Thursday Mornings in the Onsted Area at Vicky P’s home 9:30-11:30 a.m.
Cost: $16.00 which includes the study book.
Sign up under the flipping sign in the Grand Lobby. See you there!
Hello everyone!
So after a CRAZY busy month of December with more food than I can possibly stand (my jeans are fitting pretty tightly), I am finally able to get to Blog again.
W3 is incredibly excited to tell you about two Bible Studies set to begin in January. First, MOTHERWISE, Wisdom for Mothers will be offered again beginning Wednesday, January 9th, and will be in the Carosel Room of the CFC in Adrian — 6:30-8:30pm for 9 weeks. Because you never stop being a mom, this is perfect study for any mother of any age. Check out the upcoming opportunities page at the right for more information.
And if that is not for you, feel free to wait a couple more weeks to begin A Woman’s Heart: God’s Dwelling Place by Beth Moore. An 11 week, in depth Bible Study for Women who want to have better intimacy with God as your new year’s resolution (if it is not, choose to make it your new year resolution, now). Consider signing up if you wish to see how the God of the old testament who lived in the tabernacle, now lives within our hearts. There will be two times offered. Wednesdays, starting January 30, 2008 from 6:30pm–8:30pm (arrive early as table time is a valued necessity) in the Founders Hall of the CFC. And Thursdays, starting January 31, 2008 from 9:30am–11:30am at Vicky P.’s home in Onsted.
Just so you know, there is a Night of Praise for Crossroads January 23, 2008 at 6:30pm in the CFC auditorium. If you have never come to this event, you must come…. It is a way to have more mature worship time with our Father and praise Him the way only true believers can. I usually come off so excited to be with God and then leave feeling refreshed and renewed and loved. We do it for Him, but since He lives in us, we benefit.
Hope to see you attend some of these events. Make a commitment to God to get to know Him better this year. You won’t be sorry you did it….
Sunshine
What an incredible night of sharing and worshiping our Lord Wednesday, November 28 at Celebration Wednesday. It was the culmination for our Breaking Free study and it went out with a BANG!
We first describe our “plunder” from being released of our strongholds (comparing us to the Israelites who were set free from Egypt and God let them take their “plunder” from the Egyptians). And we took a look at our previous evaluations of our relationship with Christ and compared it with our current relationship 12 weeks later. Then we wrote what we broke free from on an old wristband and wore it throughout the night. After we watched the video, we had some amazing worship music and a demonstration in which we walked up to the cross and cut off the chains of bondage (the old wristband) and replaced it with a new pink rubber bracelet which said “Gal. 5:1 It is for FREEDOM that Christ has set me free!” We tore down the lies and replaced it with God’s truth!!!
After some incredible worshiping and teary eyes, several ladies shared their testimonies. We heard stories of people replacing fear, unforgiveness, pride, and others. We saw people who did not have the courage to speak in a microphone, but who were praising God with their nods to leading questions like “Have you been betrayed and learned to forgive throughout this study?” and “Who drew closer to God throughout the last 12 weeks?”
What was especially moving is that when it was time to wrap it up, many ladies stayed and many were crying and hugging each other. I could overhear people telling each other their stories that they were too nervous to tell in front of a big group. This study was amazing and moved through many people. Girls, this is another opportunity for you to tell your story. If you already did at the Celebration, that’s ok, add it here again. If you didn’t have the guts, take a deep breath and write it here. This is all about letting God know you love Him and that He is amazing! Let us know that too! Just click the comment button and begin writing.
Can’t wait to see our Lord glorified by your responses!!
Sunshine
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Mother Wise is a lifeline for mothers of all ages and stages providing the Biblical instruction moms need to thrive in today’s chaotic, changing society. Come join us on Wednesday’s for this 9 week study Beginning January 9th, 2008 6:30-8:30 p.m. at the Christian Family Center. Cost for the book is $15.00
Sign up at the What’s Happening Center!
